The “It Bag” 2012

Ever wonder what the totally stylish will carry for a market tote?  Not just the Chic, but the Impossibly Chic??  Victoria Beckham would never be seen in Ugg boots or yoga pants, even though everyone else in Los Angeles wears them for running out and about.  Several years ago someone caught her in sweats but she covered her head in a XL jacket to hide her face.  What does Posh carry to the market, why an Hermes Birkin, of course, here a few weeks ago in Hollywood~

Nice persimmon sheath; I don’t recognize this flower; looks like lavender but we are early in that season now~

I would have thought she would carry something like this, Hermes 2011…nice…I Want It~

The more natural celebs carry an authentic French tote, here Jennifer Garner with my Moroccan “Bandol” tote in Palisades~

The Bandol basket has sold really well since this photo came out.  It is in stock in limited supply now, but I have been thinking, how to make it better?  Could that be possible, for a classic classic?  The answer is yes; here is my favorite bag for 2012, I am calling it the Beaune~

This morning a group of us went to the Venice farmers market and filled the basket full of all kinds of goodness: mint, fresh or “green” garlic, broccolini and pea shoots to name just a few of our purchases. The fat strap (just over an inch wide) closes off the palm bag; all trim is in very soft lambskin~

Raquel made the call for our lunch spot; Gjelina on Abbot Kinney.  Inspired by local and fresh produce; the food is really amazing, and the atmosphere is really cool; I’ll be back here soon for dinner; this image is going on my Pinterest boards, in case I find a space for a hanging lamp or floor lamp in Beaune~

We brought along Raquel’s daughter J to model a little for us, and also enjoy the food of course.  The basket filled with fresh produce also sat on the table, kind of like another person in this pic; it looks huge next to her but that’s because J is so thin~  It is about 13 1/2” tall to the top of the basket body and 22” wide at rest; there are 9” between the top of the basket body and the bottom of the handles~

I had a salad with beets and burrata, one of my favs (a mozzarella pouch filled with fresh crème), and a little arugula, citrus and walnuts; outstanding!

And a latte, make it a pretty one, please~

I didn’t take a lot of photos of the interior of the restaurant, but I will be back; loved the simple citrus on the bar, in front of the communal tables~

Next door is Gjelina to Go, equally delicious.  We were able to get a plate of mixed salads and bring it back to the restaurant; here you can see how well the basket sits on the shoulder~

As well as in your hand; the soft lambskin is better than anything sisal or plastique, a mon avis and holds well in your hand~

I love this basket; I have ordered it in quantity, though the balance of the shipment has yet to arrive, this one will sell out fast and I will surely carry it in the future~

The Beaune basket will be available at the Corona del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe and Pacific Palisades markets as well as online and in select retailers nationwide.

email info@frenchbasketeer.com to be notified when the new shipment arrives, soon~

See you at the markets!~