if you lug a lot...here's a product reco

In the spirit of people telling me, "Oh, I bought that curling hair dryer and love it."  Or, "Hey, I purchased that Japanese thermos you wrote about and liked it so much I bought more  and gave it to people as Christmas gifts." Here's something else to consider.

When I first started working for J. Hilburn, I needed a big bag for all my sample fabrics, catalogues, measuring tools, and forms.  I bought a rolling briefcase from Tumi. But it was too heavy and too big.  Dragging a rolling anything up and down subway stairs is not easy.  And forget boarding a train during rush hour. Then I got lucky.  The adjustable handle stopped working a week into using it, so I was able to return it.

M suggests a Tumi nylon carry-all called the Geneva.  She uses it for travel and loves it. So much so that she even makes me a video highlighting the bag's many compartments, pockets, and zippered spaces.

And the best thing? It's last year's model. I find it for almost 50% off on Tumi's site, and buy it in slate gray with black leather trim..

Today I use it for the first time.  I am going to Stamford to meet with a couple of new clients.  I love the functionality of this bag. It's lightweight, has a million pockets for organizing stuff, and fits everything I have.  I put my phone here, my glasses there, my Kindle in a side pocket, a lipstick in a small outer pocket, my coffee thermos on the large outside pocket, my wallet where I can easily access it, and all my J. Hilburn stuff in the middle.

I buy my ticket and board the train.  And then I can't find my phone.  I look everywhere.  I even ask a stranger nearby to call me, assuming I'll hear my phone ring.  I hear nothing.  I wonder if Worth Avenue Insurance covers for theft?  An hour train ride each way and no phone.  I think I'm as upset about the possibility of being phone-less as I am about the cost of buying a new phone.

I sit down.  Pour some coffee.  Find my paper.  Then find my phone — hiding in a pocket I'd forgotten about. 

Bottom line:  
This is a fantastic, more than decent-looking bag.  Looks professional but not too business-y. Great for carting stuff around the city, telecommuting, or for travel.  Brilliant for compartmentalizing; just remember where you put things. And then, if you want it, buy last year's model for over 40% off, and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear.  And no, I am not affiliated in any way with Tumi.