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It’s true, women tend to carry a lot of stuff in their purses… but most of it is useful to them (men, don’t comment on that; you’ll never understand the female definition of “useful”). When I see something like the Mini Lipstick Totes I wonder what R&D people think of women or, alternately, how many shopaholics there are in the world.

There is no real reason to buy one of these. A tiny bag for a lipstick?! Why on Earth would a woman want to rummage even more for make-up? Find lipstick, turn, apply, put back, it’s an easy process that should not be overcomplicated… The totes are supposed to “protect your expensive cosmetics”, but I fail to see how a tube could get damaged in a bag.

However, there’s one alternate use I quite like the idea of: present wrapping. Receiving a nice lipstick in an unique packing would make an impression. But otherwise… wasted money.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9.95 on WhatOnEarthCatalog.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

When buying a new bag what do women usually consider? Whether it matches their shoes? If it’s sturdy enough to carry everything? If it’s trendy? Or if it can help them get high?

Yes, you read that right. The Bong Blueprint Tote Bag is certainly unusual. How many people would want to be seen carrying something that says “I’m a pothead”?

But still… if you just glance at the design you can’t tell what it’s of; it reminds me a bit of Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches. So if you’re into shocking people all you need to do is sit around and wait until it registers, then enjoy the baffled (or admiring) looks.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $20 on OneHorseShy.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

The perfect accessory for an ABBA fan or proof of the consumerism we’re slave to? The Gimme Gimme Gimme Tote Bag could be taken both ways - personally, I’m leaning toward the latter. You’ll also have a high chance of driving away any man who happens to read it, but it’s each girl’s choice in the end. Maybe you just love 70s Swedish pop.

Beside the debatable print, the bag is a regular well thought out tote: it has both a zippered pocket and a key strap, big selling points for me as I like to be able to find important things in a flash, not rummage inside for 10 minutes.

Just… I don’t know, that message really doesn’t sit with me. I’ll pass on this one.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $11.99 on GoneBlue.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

While I wasn’t a big George Carlin fan, I had seen/listened to some of his skits and they fit my definition of “very funny” quite well. His most popular rant is probably “Seven Words” (but be warned, it’s NSFW).

And I am conflicted. The Seven Words Carlin Tote Bag looks very cool and I find it an appropriate tribute: some people will get offended (just like when they saw the original) and other people will laugh (ditto).

But is it right to make money out of someone’s death? Then again, is it wrong to make money if people are buying it to remember the person he was? As I said, I cannot decide. But I do love the tote.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $22.99 on CafePress.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

My first personal blog sported, at one time, a header saying “Will work for books”. While books still are my free item of choice… the internet is a close second. Or maybe it’s a tie for first spot, since I like to look up stuff while reading.

The Work for WiFi Messenger Bag is just great. What better way to send your message to the world? It might not be large enough for your laptop, but you can cary your EEE or BlackBerry or PDA and get online on your breaks from scrubbing the dishes or mopping the floors. Really, how much can you survive without checking your e-mail? What if someone important happens in Blogland and you’re not there to witness it?!

How much under $29.99?
A little: $22.99 on CafePress.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

If you have a laptop and drag it around with you all day, your accessories might suffer from the constant strain. A mouse is probably the item everyone carries around, so it gets the most abuse.

If your laptop bag lacks extra pockets, you can make up for it with the Belkin Mouse Storage and Carrier. This soft case can also house and protect your other small computer items such as USB drives, PCMCIA cards, memory cards or cables, and it can be attached to your bag if it won’t fit inside. Even more, if you unzip it it turns into a mouse pad (although it probably cannot be stretched perfectly straight, so it wouln’t be a particularly good one).

If you like the idea but the pink is too much for you, rest assured: it also comes in chocolate and tourmaline, dove and tarragon and steel and burnt orange.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $14 at Amazon: Belkin Dove And Peony Mouse Storage And Carrier.

Via bookofjoe

I love cats, so understandably I end up with quite a lot of cat-themed merchandise… (Although nothing beats a real live cat jumping on your bed at 4 a.m.)

Maybe the humor is too subtle for me, but the Pussy Whipped Tote Bag would make sense if a man wore it, right? Because men is what the phrase is about… That aside, the picture is very cute and the interpretation hilarious. It even lets you play innocent and pretend you thought it was merely a (tasteless) joke about cats and blenders.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $19.99 on CafePress.com.

Via FashionablyGeek

I always get funny looks from cashiers when I decline a bag and say I’ll just put the stuff in my backback. I must be a rarity. But I still need to get a reusable bag - for major shopping, when all the products can’t fit in my moderately-sized backpack. I’ve featured a couple of such bags here (MyBag and the Flip & Tumble 24-7 bag), but they are not the only options.

The ChicoBag is sturdy, affordable and (this is what I like best) it folds until into a tiny pouch which can be hooked to your keys or backpack. One if the reason I never remember to take along a textile bag is that they are so large they have to be kept in a separate place, and I still haven’t formed that reflex to grab a bag along with my purse. The Chico also comes in a lot of colors, so the girlie types can even match their shopping bag to their clothes (which, I have to admit, is very tempting).

Since it’s Earth Day, what better opportunity to get a little more environmentally-friendly?

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $5 on ChicoBag.com.

Cold beer is a very important part of a picnic or barbecue (as long as you’re not the driver), but actually carrying it and keeping it cool might prove to be a problem.

The Chill Stick aims to solve this. This tube-shaped bag can hold six 12 oz cans and the neoprene material should keep them cool enough, while the shoulder strap is supposed to make it easier to carry.

Personally, I’m not sure this actually works. It looks pretty uncomfortable and I’m not sure the insulation is thick enough to keep the cans cold. Interesting idea, but I think a good old cooler bag is more dependable and, unless you get a real shitty model, just as easy to carry.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $11.98 on ThingsYouNeverKnew.com.

Via DVICE

I’m not one of those people who think their laptops are made from fragile crystal and need to be kept in over-padded bags at all times… but really, they’re not that sturdy so some protection is necessary.

The LapStrap offers none. It’s basically a shoulder strap which supports your laptop, making it easy to carry around. It’s extremely easy to use: you just place it across the laptop and close the lid.

I think it’s obvious what’s wrong with it: where’s the protection? One, I don’t trust my laptop hinge that much. What if it falls open? Two, I tend to bump into things, and I don’t think hitting a door laptop-first would benefit it much. I suppose it’s ok for carrying around the office or at a time when you really need two free hands, but paying $25 for this? Not for me.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $24.95 on TheLapStrap.com.

Via Gizmodo