I’m much more a jeans and shoes addict than a handbag addict but my new tote from Ann Judge Design may have me hooked on a new habit. I recently discovered Ann Judge Design’s totes on another blog and simply had to review it for our Daily Dish readers. Her designs are fresh, fabulous and extremely functional.

To thoroughly review a tote from the Ann Judge Design collection, the owner sent me one of her Everyday totes…and it arrived just in time for our recent Caribbean vacation. (Whew! Don’t know what I would’ve done without a fashionable tote while perusing shops in Old San Juan. See photo at right.) At a travel-friendly size of 11″ by 11″ by 5″ deep the Everyday bag was the perfect airline carry-on, old-town shopper, port-perusing carryall and even beach-going bag. The two convenient pockets held my cell phone, gum, business cards, Carnival FunPass and a lip gloss or two. The main pocket held a seriously too full cosmetic bag filled with the rest of the lip gloss, mini hand sanitizer and passport along with my wallet, MP3 player, Flip camera, digital camera and a couple single-serving cereal boxes (our snack while away from the ship). And I still had room for a few souvenirs!

The canvas held up wonderfully well to all I threw at it, including sand, sun and a small rainshower while hiking to Trafalgar Falls in Dominica. That tote and I were inseparable! The only thing I wish it had were a sturdier bottom (don’t we all?). I rarely if ever put the Everyday tote down for fear the canvas bottom would get dirty. If it had either a vinyl, leather or even pleather bottom or small brass feet, I would’ve thought this tote absolutely perfect in every way…kind of like the Mary Poppins of everyday totes.

Ann Judge Design offers four styles of totes from the Mini to the Day Tripper and even a line of cosmetic bags and coin purses. Her totes are not only perfect for travel but for everything from a day at the office to a day at the Farmers Market. Plus they’re stylishly affordable–the Everyday tote is only $48. (I swear we paid more than that for Carnival’s in-cabin bottled water my husband mistakenly opened.) Need a new favorite tote or the perfect excuse to go on vacation? Pick up your own fabulously functional Ann Judge Design tote online at AnnJudge.com. –Emily

*** Giveaway! Ann Judge Design is giving away one Pink Star Everyday tote and matching coin purse to one of our readers (a $72 value)! (If I weren’t exempt from this giveaway you better believe I’d be all over it!) Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway:

•   Visit AnnJudge.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite fabric design/style.
•   Become a fan of Ann Judge Design on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•   Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: November 3, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Audrey, the winner of the Ann Judge Design giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

I’m not one to pass up the chance to review a new handbag or other accessory, especially if it’s from a company new to me. If it’s new to me then there’s a good chance it’s also new to some of our readers and all the more reason to feature it on the Daily Dish!

Jumeau is a new-to-me collection of unique, stylish, professional, trendy, hip handbags and belts. The company’s focus may be on “premium function with exceptional materials” but the line is also all about design that “complements your body.” Have you ever known a company creating its designs with your body’s contours in mind? Didn’t think so.

Jumeau sent me the Zoe handbag and Hip P belt from their Institution Collection. This is by far my favorite collection, but I tend to lean more towards a professional look than hip and trendy. Yes, totally boring but what can I say? I can say the Zoe handbag is even better in person. The “razberry” color is rich and yummy while the rip-stop fabric adds a bit of fun. I love the “Better than Leather” abrasian-resistant material used in the trim–my bags can take a beating when hauling four kids around! Though it looks on the small side, this little bag is really rather roomy with pockets inside and out, including two magnetic easy-access pockets, something I think every handbag should have. The only thing this magnificent little bag is missing is a matching pair of shoes. (Don’t worry, I’ll get on that right away!)

As for the Hip P belt, those little floral etchings turn what could be a very masculine belt into something wonderfully feminine. Unfortunately the size they sent was a little too large for how tight I like to wear my jeans so I haven’t been able to wear it, but I still pull it out and look at it so I can check out those super sweet etchings. Right now it’s only available in two sizes, large and extra large. Jumeau seriously needs to add two smaller sizes to the mix unless their target customer wears her pants below her butt cheeks. Perhaps I should try that…Hmmm…

Jumeau has five collections: Deft, Now (very trendy), Institution, Green (focuses on natural materials) and Commando (go, camo!). Not every collection offers belts but they all offer some truly unique styles. By the way, Jumeau also incorporates sustainable and recycled materials and offers a 45-day, no questions asked, satisfaction guarantee AND a 5-year replacement warranty. Okay, I’ve NEVER heard of any kind of warranty on any handbag I’ve purchased. That’s gotta make you feel good…almost as good as you feel when toting around a bag that complements your body… –Emily

Handbags are like jeans and shoes–you can never have too many. So when you come across a limited edition, retro- and vintage-inspired bag that exudes quality, it takes only a moment before it becomes a “need” and not a “want.” That’s how I feel about the handbags and wristlets from 144 Collection.

Lesia Griffin launched 144 Collection in February, 2006 as a hobby after taking sewing lessons, which she took to help express her creative side. (Sewing helps me express my all-thumbs side…) Lesia soon discovered she loved designing her own patterns and especially creating one-of-a-kind handbags and wristlets. I’m sure when friends and family saw her fun and funky designs they requested their own bags–I know I would have! Because 144 Collection’s bags are handmade each one is not only unique but also made with attention to quality and detail.

When not hauling around the diaper bag, my bag of choice is 144 Collection’s Jessica handbag. I love its simple style and its ability to hold a lot of stuff without anything getting lost in the shuffle. It has two interior pockets so my cell phone, lip gloss and gum don’t disappear, and the straps are the perfect size to work either on the shoulder or off. Plus there’s something quite satisfying about carrying a limited-edition handbag. And how can you not love the retro, unique fabrics!

144 Collection offers five styles of bags plus a cute wristlet. I love my Jessica bag so much I may pick up a wristlet. At 8″ by 6″ it might even be big enough for diapers and wipes. (Hmmm…I may have to get two.) Along with the retro fabrics you’ll find 144 Collection bags have a retro price. For something this high quality, this detailed, and this unique you could easily pay over $100 but you’ll find these bags won’t bust your budget–leaving room for another pair of shoes, of course. To purchase your own 144 Collection tote or wristlet visit the designer’s store on Etsy. –Emily