Nomadic Tote Update

So, you asked for it... here it is :)

I recently reviewed the Nomadic Tote, and after reading someone asked if laptops fit into the Nomadic tote and they were hesitant to purchase and wanted to see if I had ever tried to put in a laptop... the answer was no.. but now, I tried it just for them and yep it does surely fit my laptop.. yes the zipper does close, but I decided not to close it so that you could see what i was able to place into the tote bag.  Now, with a 15 inch macbook pro, the tote would be relatively heavy and maybe not as easily totable around but still doable i guess.
Below are the items i put into my nomadic tote:

• 1/2 in binder
• coach wallet (checkbook size)
• levenger circa jr planner
• my 15 inch macbook pro with power cord and mouse
• my phone
• a nomadic pencil case stuffed to the gills with pens, pencils, etc.

 

So the above 2 right hand pictures show the laptop in the bag along with the nomadic pencil case, binder and the planner.  The cellphone, wallet, mouse and power brick were stashed in separate pockets.



so yep everything does fit.  You could potentially use a slightly thicker planner/binder but as I could only find a 1/2 in binder at the house that is what i used.   The wallet, I put into one of the interior pockets that is accessible from the top of the tote.  The bag has no padding for the laptop, so I dont know that I would use it for a laptop but it is definitely usable to stash a 15in MacBook Pro.  If you were to use a laptop sleeve,I am unsure the laptop would fit into the tote. 

Where to Purchase?

• Jetpens $77.00

Nomadic Tote Bag Review

I recently won a bag from the Jetpens' random giveaways.  And now that I've had it for a couple of weeks and have used it off and on for that duration, I thought i would write a bit about it.  

The bag that I won was the Nomadic Toto Tote Bag, and I decided I had enough black bags and that I would totally dirty up the beige bag within no time, so I went with the grey bag.  The people at Jetpens were fast and efficient, the bag showed up within a week of me emailing them my address and color choice.  

First -- as with all nomadic bags, the plethora of pockets and stash areas.. Oh my! The bag has a tag that explains the pockets for the bag and depicts what goes in where.



Look at all those pockets!  Ok so I cant read Japanese, but I can sure follow pictures.  There looks to be 2 pockets for stashing water/bottles of whatever.  There is a pocket for  ID's inside the large pocket.  There is also a velcro'ed pocket for electronic devices (phones, cameras). 

Here is the bag as it was first unpacked from the box that I received from Jetpens.



Look at all those pockets!  Pocket envy -- The only problem is I have issues in finding things once i stash them into random pockets so this bag may prove to be my downfall :)

This is the bag stuffed, maybe not fully stuffed, but enough so that you can see how much it holds.  The far left is the bag full -- the right 2 pictures are what was put in the bag.  The far right picture was in the back pocket.  The picture in the middle with the 2 jr circa, 1 nomadic pencil/pen bag and a delfonics bag with the contents of my purse (sort of like my purse organizer).

 

The bag is very useful so far -- I've been able to downsize my work bag/purse.  I am able to put everything i need for work into the bag and keep my purse to a small bag, rather than using one of my larger totes for work stuff + purse.  In addition, it holds a Letter sized notebook meaning I can carry larger sheets of paper rather than folding them for the smaller work bags that i use.  

Something of note though -- one of the pockets in the back has a smaller stash section -- i tried to put pens in it, but the pens caps stick out -- not quite secure.  I'll see if i can get a picture or 2 of this in the next couple of days and post an update on here.

I think this may be a great bag for travel --- I would be able to stash things in the various pockets and be able to access them without much searching.  We shall see since I'm going to be going on a trip in a couple of days...

Where to Purchase?

• Jetpens $77.00

timbuk2 scrunchie bag review

The scrunchie tote was on sale at Timbuk2 last summer and since I was eyeing it I decided that I would buy it. The bag is the 2011 model, but I don't think Timbuk2 made any changes other than add a couple color updates. I got it on sale plus I had donated an old Timbuk2 bag back for recycling so I ended up with a pretty nice bag for about half(?) off? I cant find my receipt anymore so not quite sure. I figured, hey my Nike bag that I use to carry my dragon boat gear is getting old, I should update the bag and grab this one and I ended up with the grey one with the red piping. The bag is billed as a medium sized bag and is made of ballistic nylon which is water resistant, its bottom is made of TPU so it keeps the bag dry if you happen to place it in a slightly wet spot. It also has a patterned interior -- which you can see on that 3rd picture, which also makes the bag quite cute.


There is a small pocket on the outside that Timbuk2 describes as a slash pocket (you can see that in the middle picture on top)  The little tab towards the left is where the zipper pull is. It is big enough for my ipod touch and couple of other small things like my headphones, my square attachment for my cell phone. I've also attempted to stash my car keys in there while i'm in a rush. The main compartment of the bag is pretty big (the dimensions of the bag is: 16"x10"x9"), but for some reason is not enough for ALL of my dragon boat and gym gear that i use for dragon boating. Currently in my Scrunchie bag I'm attempting to hold the following:

•  LL Bean Small Toiletry kit
• Garmin HRM
• Garmin 410 
• Pair of shoes (running or paddling)
•  headphones (i usually have a pair or 2 in there)
• ipod either nano or touch or sometimes i use my phone
• gym clothes to change into:
• shorts
• long sleeved shirt
• short sleeved shirt or tank
• rash guard
• paddling jacket
• sweaty band for my hair
• sometimes a pair of running socks
• clothes to change into after gym/paddling which currently consists of:
• warm up pants
• long sleeved shirt
• tank/short sleeved shirt
• undergarments and socks (i usually keep these in a laundry bag)
• flip flops 

The pile of things that came out of the scrunchie bag post practice-- after laundry has been taken out

What ends up happening is usually the shoes just get left out and i take them in separately.  OK so perhaps I am trying to put too many things into my gym bag, but in my ideal gym bag I would be able to hold all of the above because I typically have all that when i go to paddle.  The Rash guard and the paddling jacket will come out eventually so will the long sleeved items, once the weather gets better but for now I need all of that in there. I also have a separate bag for running, and volleyball as they have different things in it. 

The bag has a velcro pocket that runs along the back of the bag (if you have the small stash pocket facing forward)  See below left most photo.  Its rather large and is currently where i stash my HRM strap and my ipod(s).  Inside the main compartment, there is a smaller zip pocket (if you are familiar with their messenger bags -- similar to the inside storage pocket.  Like all other timbuk2 bags, there is a pocket that has the red key tether for easier locating of the keys in one of the inside zippered pockets. It will comfortably hold a yoga mat (per product specifications) I've never tried this out as I don't own a yoga mat, nor do I take yoga class.



Where to buy:
Timbuk2 $69.00 or $89.00 depending on color scheme
eBags $89.00
Google Search various $