BIG BAG BOAT AND TOTE – DON’T CARE!

Friends and colleagues know  that my aesthetic has always been preppy.

A hallmark of any true prep, the L.L. Bean boat and tote has proven its versatility from city streets to points beyond. Trust me, I’ve had a couple for years and they’re still in good form.

BTW, I finally got myself a new one a few days ago and I couldn’t be happier!

If Chris Martin, Japanese men and East Coast preps carry one, it’s certainly good enough for me! 

SCORED CANVAS: FOUR DOLLAR HAPPY AND A BOWL OF GYUDON

Things have been busy in my neck of the woods, right in the direct wake of Typhoon Nesat.


(A man bicycles in rain storm due to Typhoon Nesat. Photo from www.csmononitor.com)

We lost power early but that didn’t stop me from getting work done despite the 140 kph wind trying to rip my neighbors roof next door. Laptop eventually died, leaving my sister and I bored until 10 PM. We ventured out. Debris were strewn everywhere. Sofitel and Roxas Boulevard had seen better days. The waves had been tall enough to crash over the sea wall, parts of the US Embassy and the lined palm trees. Our neighbors flower arch was gone.

On a brighter side, I got myself a canvas tote from Hedi Slimane Homme for a bargain at the thrift shop right across my client’s building.


(The Hedi Slimane Homme canvas tote I scored at the thrift shop for $4.00 reminds me of the Teddyfish by Jack Spade)

The storm was dramatic to be sure but scoring an item for $4.00 , I escaped relatively unscathed.

BASIC MATTER 12: L.L. BEAN BOAT BAG

I’ve had my L.L. Bean boat bag for six years now. Nothing fancy though but it does the trick of carrying a lot from notebooks to paint brushes, paint canvas, a mini easel, my moleskines and magazines maximizing a lot into one bag and can be suspended over my shoulder rather than having plastic cutting into my fingers.



Despite getting a lot of strange looks from the public, they’re also excellent for those Salcedo/ Legaspi Village weekend market shopping excursions too.


Superior Labor Paint Tote Bag and Port Canvas Clipper Bag from Utility Coop

Aside from L.L. Bean, I’ve also discovered pages and pages of work wear and totes at the Japanese shop Utility Coop. When in the U.S., you can also find great totes at Estex, Filson, Billykirk and Klein Tools.