This bag was handmade in Portugal by a company called Toino Abel, who create products the same way their family have been making baskets for over three generations. They source materials locally and produce locally, and in general are very eco-conscious and supportive to the people who craft the bags. There's a letter written by Nuno Henriques, the founder of the company, on the website about the history of Toino Abel. All of that is wonderful, but also the bags themselves are beautiful. And damn roomy. There are lots of different sizes (this is a small) and different designs for offer on their website, but you can also request something specific if you're so inclined. It's very special to find a unique bag, which is made sustainably, and can also hold all the dumb crap you bloody well have to have on you when you leave the house.
Meanwhile back at the ranch...my shoes are from Miss L-Fire who I've loved for a long time because they make bluebird and flamingo sandals, yes you read that right, along with comfortable pumps and suede patchwork platforms. I guess I'm wearing gingham because you can't sneeze at the moment without some of your hayfever induced snot landing on a swatch of checked fabric. The end result is a little bit "this halloween I'm going dressed as a picnic", but you're acting like that's a bad thing?