3 bags in ... 1 bag out!

Review of the perfect vacation bag

Travel bag review

Why you need the Sseko Olive Canvas Travel Tote

My family just returned from a beautiful week in Mexico.

My family was loaded down with Sseko bags so I could test them on our various outings. Well, that AND so the rest of my family could look trendy and fabulous with gorgeous Sseko leather bags. My husband carried the Eden backpack, each of my girls carried the Convertible Tote and I brought along the brand new Olive Canvas Travel bag. Here’s my review of each, and why the Canvas Travel bag was the best, hands down!

Mom’s across the world know that they tend to end up carrying everyone’s random stuff. I carefully packed my bag for the plane with LOTS of room in order to allow for the accumulation. I didn’t want to hunt down the 7 passports and boarding passes that I had to carry through 3 airports and customs. It was excellent through my travels on Day 1, including the first trip to the resort pool near our condo.

It was weighed down with about 8 large water bottles, 3 blankets, 6 cell phones and various clothing items during our boat ride to a secluded beach. Unlike the leather bags, I wasn’t too concerned about it getting wet or sandy. The shoulder straps or cross body straps were wide enough to be very comfortable and it kept everything contained.

I was accompanied on our parasailing adventures and shopping by the beautiful leather Eden backpack. It’s definitely envy-worthy, but crazy inconvenient when you have to get in and out of it every 60 seconds. Can you hold my wallet? I need my wallet. Can you hold my sunglasses? Oh it’s too bright not to wear my sunglasses. Being the group photographer … It started making me grumpy having to get in and out of it constantly. I was missing my crossbody bag …

Every time we went to town, I had to carry too many things to use the Convertible Tote, so I left those for the girls to use during our trip. I did purchase the caramel one shortly before the trip, whereas I had only a black one before. It’s REALLY pretty and while I love using it at home, and the luggage strap allowing it to attach to a rolling suitcase is pretty awesome (especially when you’ve got 8 bags and 7 backpacks in your group) it wasn’t big enough for this mom.

So hand’s down, my vote for a travel bag goes to the Olive Canvas Travel Tote! It’s totally worth the $175 price tag, especially since it would go from vacation to highschool football game, dance recital, holiday festival shopping. day trip to Leavenworth, weekender with your hunny, Puyallup Fair day and so many other occasions. The lower zipper compartment allows you to carry those things you don’t want to get in the way of the things you need most. I throw my sweater and small blanket in there for my music in the park evenings, my jean shorts and flip flops for after work errands or maybe diapers and a change of clothes if you’re in that mom-phase of life. Having this stuff out of the way leaves room up top to easily find my Sseko zippered wallet, reading glasses, cell phone and my leather catchall for all my other purse necessities.

It’s pretty awesome! Keep on the lookout for mine - or pick up one for yourself for fall! Olive is a beautiful neutral option …

By the way, our Mexican vacation was epic this year! Practically perfect in every way.

My Travel Guru list

Lessons from my travel guru …

There are a few lessons I’ve learned since working with the super trendy ladies from Chloe & Isabel for the past 5 years that have stuck with me during all my air travels. I know I’ve posted about them before, but I’ve just adopted into my household some new Sseko products that ‘up’ my travel game even higher. Makes me excited to share these little tips with you!

Organize your travel bag

My new Sseko Sojourner Olive Canvas Travel bag is surprisingly convenient. Clearly it looks really deep, which I would generally avoid because who wants to be digging through loads of stuff to find your wallet and passport? This has a zippered compartment at the bottom accessible from the outside which creates a perfect depth on the top of the bag. This zippered space creates a perfect spot for my travel scarf, socks, travel jewelry case and flip flops. (All mentioned later). Leaving room up top for transport of a delicate gift, passports, book, snacks, iPad, leather bag with power cords, a few toiletries and my wallet. (Also mentioned later). The leather straps allow me to be hands free in all sorts of ways, without having to reach around to unload a backpack. And whether i decide to wear my new Sseko burgandy kaftan, my grey striped maxi dress or my tee and jean shorts, the Olive green and brown is neutral enough to go with anything!

Blanket Scarf

Light layers are a must for any airline travel, but there are those times when the guy next to you has to have the air blowing, or you’re on a window seat and you get the cold from the window. I love having a blanket scarf with me to cover legs or shoulders, or just to use for a makeshift pillow. Doubling as a scarf, wrap or swim coverup makes it a convertible travel piece. This black and white woven one from Sseko is great - good size - good thickness and can be worn with most anything.

Socks

One of my little quirks is needing to have my legs connected somehow. One foot tucked under my knee or ankles crossed. In order to keep myself from kicking everyone with all my crazy movements I take my shoes off and grab my cotton socks. I always have them to avoid yucky floor germs from walking around barefoot (and to keep my tooties warm).

Book

It’s a book. Enough said. I was excited to see this latest collaboration between Bill Clinton and James Patterson. It looks awesome and I can’t wait to crack that open as soon as I get to my seat. Oh, I will also have my iPad loaded with a movie or 2 (or 8).

Flip Flops

I waited much too long to snag these leather Sseko flip flops. Flips are up there with my top 10 things on the planet and these are really yummy! I love my Havianas, but these increase my trendiness 100%. Genuine leather upper and base, they took a day or two with socks to stretch them out to fit perfect, but I couldn’t do my sprint through airport security without them.

New Zippered Wallet

Again, why did I wait this long, even after every Sseko fellow raved about the zippered wallet? I picked up the new yummy Mahogany leather and it works perfectly! It’s big enough not to get lost at the bottom of my purse, the zipper allows me to toss loose papers I don’t want to lose, and could even hold my phone if I wanted to use it as a clutch with a wrist strap. I’m not sure how they managed, but even the Mohagany is a neutral … just enough brown to make it so.

Jewelry Travel Organizer

I posted about this new piece last week on my IG, but here’s a picture of the inside. Selling jewelry for 5 years makes me a certified “jewelry travel expert” and honestly I haven’t found a better solution than this. I love the deep pockets for my necklaces so they aren’t rolling around and coming out, my statement earrings have a little strap to hold them in place, and a large zippered area for bracelets and extras. It folds up nicely and is pretty to boot.

What’s in my leather pouch?

• iPad power cord

• Aveda toner spritzer

• chapstick

• lip gloss

• printed itinerary

• checked luggage tags

• lotion

• Advil

• eye drops

• reading glasses

• headphones

• pen for my customs forms

Passports and Disability

With the exception of my younger daughter, I generally carry all the passports. She’s capable of handling it herself and it’s a good lesson in organization, but for my disabled daughter and husband, it’s just easier that I keep them close. He’s my point-person for making sure she gets through all the complicated airport security and customs rules when dealing with a person with equipment and special shoes and mobility issues. This is a scary thing for anyone with a developmental delay - being ushered to the side to undergo a pat down and wiping her walker or wheelchair for drug residue. He has always insisted to travel that route with her, going along with the pat down option while I am yelling from my area in line (wrangling a toddler with a penchant for running off and usually a bevy of senior citizens) making sure she is okay and shouting out reminders that I’ll be waiting for her when she’s done, it’ll only take a few minutes, daddy is with her and that yes, this generally sucks.

So I hold the passports, tickets, IDs all together.

One trip through Mexican customs included 2 wheelchairs, 2 teens, 1 senior citizen with Alzheimers, back hallway disabled route with about 9 stops to check passports, IDs and tickets has created this rule. I go to the front of the line with everything and my husband brings up the back to make sure nobody goes rogue. Also on this occasion, my father-in-law was convinced someone in the bathroom during his recent stop must have stolen his passport. 30 minutes of searching later resulted in finding it in his jacket pocket … yep … they’re all staying with me. LOL This year, I’m traveling with 4 very independent young adults, so that’s now taken off my plate. But I’m still keeping an eye out!

Here’s hoping your final summer travels are fun!

If any of the above Sseko products are something you’d like to try on your next trip, please check the website for all the details. Stay tuned for more reviews!

A Sorjourner’s journey - Launch your journey August 1st

Sseko Designs Fall/Winter 2019

A Sorjourner’s Collection

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Introducing Sseko Designs

Fall/Winter 2019 Collection

For The FW19 Sojourner’s Collection, we traveled the world in search of the most stunning materials and the most beautiful stories. We even journeyed all the way to Italy to capture it all in the most magical golden hour light in the hills of Tuscany. This collection is a celebration of travel. We designed incredibly versatile pieces out of travel-friendly materials that can take you across the world, from season to season and from day to night. From the coziest multiway sweater that transforms from a cardigan to a chic cowl neck tunic to the stunning woven Cena textile you’ll find on bags as well as our first ever coat, we can’t wait for you to experience the richness and versatility of this collection for yourself.

And while no one loves a globe-trotting adventure more than we do, The Sojourner’s Collection is not only a celebration of travel but also a celebration of your journey within. We were born into the world with a sense of curiosity. We asked questions without shame and were delighted by new discoveries. We took joy in small delights and felt deeply, without fear of what others would think. Perhaps the real journey is less about striving to become but more about the journey back home to yourself. We refuse to be labeled or named. Instead, we live fully into every corner of ourselves, embracing the complexity and nuance. We are dreamers and doers. Women of peace and passion. We care about style and stories. We love others by loving ourselves and bring one another into community by doing the hard work of understanding that we belong.

This collection is meant to encourage and inspire you on perhaps the greatest and most courageous adventure of all: The journey within, to know yourself and then courageously share that light with the world. Out of darkness and into sisterhood because the journey is made better together.

The Sojourner Collection

Color Theory

Oiled Olive

The smooth and sophisticated olive leather will elevate your wardrobe with a unique but seasonless neutral. Olive has long been the symbol of peace. This season we are celebrating the ability to be at peace with oneself: embracing a deep acceptance of who you are, so that you can be an agent of acceptance to others.

Pebbled Amore

The bold and stunning Pebbled Amore will add a flash of classic and oh-so-statement color to your wardrobe this season. The richness and depth of this color makes it a perfect choice for Fall and is bright and bold enough to transition right into the warmer months. A courageous willingness to stand up for what is good and true and right and to not apologize for dreaming big for you and your sisters everywhere.

Cena

We have 3 new prints this season and one of them is this beautiful Cena fabric, hand woven by our artisans. My Cena market tote will be arriving tomorrow but this coat is absolutely beautiful. It is soft and supple and I’ve seen photos of Sseko sisters pushing up the sleeves, so it’s not stiff. This is perfect for our Seattle weather. Worn as a blazer in the office or over a sweater for outer wear. Sseko Designs and our sisters in Uganda have hit our latest fabrics and designs out of the ballpark!

Beginner’s Pluck

There's no lack of people out there telling you to find your passion and dream big. But why does it seem like when we try, we so often end up more lost and overwhelmed than when we started?

Liz Forkin Bohannon wants you to rethink everything you've been told about finding your passion and following your dreams. Why? Hate to break it to you, but you're likely never going to "find your passion." Because your passion and purpose are something you build--actively--day by day. In her signature tell-it-like-it-is fashion, Liz shares 14 actionable principles that will teach you how to do just that. With total transparency, Liz shares hilarious and heartbreaking stories of her journey of screwups and successes that illustrate the mindsets and principles that will give you a jolt of energy, inspiration, and direction toward your True North. By embracing your Inner Beginner, dreaming small, choosing curiosity over criticism, and so much more, Liz's story and the principles of Beginner's Pluck will have you on your way to building a life of purpose, passion, and lasting impact.

Liz inspires me and is really hilarous! Like that unfiltered best friend who leads you on exciting adventures and who is living that large life that I’ve always dreamed of. Liz’ book will be for sale starting August 1st in my Sseko Boutique page. Pick one up for your next lazy afternoon reading …I’ll have mine for my Cabo vacation!

THE SSEKO FELLOWS PROGRAM

USING FASHION TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY & COMMUNITY FOR WOMEN GLOBALLY.

As a Sseko Fellow, you become a representative of Sseko in your community. By sharing the Sseko story with your community and selling Sseko products through trunk shows as well as online, you’ll become an integral part of creating educational opportunity for academically gifted women in Uganda. From the in’s and out’s of impact entrepreneurship, to running an actual small business, to marketing and product development, as a Sseko Fellow, you’ll have the opportunity to learn it all. Oh! And you’ll also make money, earn free and discounted products and have a chance to participate in things like trips to Uganda and annual Sseko Fellow gatherings.

The Sseko Guarantee: Create an impact, find community, and make a profit in your first year

or we will buy back your starter kit.*

“My Sojourner Prebook pieces will be arriving tomorrow ... watch for the unboxing photos by Friday!”

— Gabby Jacobsen

Copy of Taking "Custom" to a whole new level

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Sseko Custom Shop has been a customer favorite for the last few seasons and it’s about to get bigger and better than ever! Get your Christmas Gift List ready, because everyone loves custom!

Adding to the lineup of sandals and small leather accessories comes an expanded list of possible custom products. Sseko welcomes a brand new line of custom leather jewelry and a few other bag options. I played around with creating a Crossbody bag the other day … one of my favorite every day purses (borrowed recently in the caramel by my daughter.) There are great leather color options including navy, the new red, rose gold just to name a few beautiful options. You can select which sections are which color and even add embellishments!

And … since leopard is HOT HOT HOT this fall … we’ve got the hookup!

The Sseko Custom Shop opens on Thursday, August 1st … and since every order has to reach our artisans in Uganda, Ethiopia and India, it will take approximately 4 weeks to get them completed and sent back to the States and to you. Order by August 30th and you’ll see your new lovelies by the end of September. So when thinking custom … also think ahead.

Have fun! If you need help deciding … reach out! I’m happy to help.

Taking "Custom" to a whole new level

---

Sseko Custom Shop has been a customer favorite for the last few seasons and it’s about to get bigger and better than ever! Get your Christmas Gift List ready, because everyone loves custom!

Adding to the lineup of sandals and small leather accessories comes an expanded list of possible custom products. Sseko welcomes a brand new line of custom leather jewelry and a few other bag options. I played around with creating a Crossbody bag the other day … one of my favorite every day purses (borrowed recently in the caramel by my daughter.) There are great leather color options including navy, the new red, rose gold just to name a few beautiful options. You can select which sections are which color and even add embellishments!

And … since leopard is HOT HOT HOT this fall … we’ve got the hookup!

The Sseko Custom Shop opens on Thursday, August 1st … and since every order has to reach our artisans in Uganda, Ethiopia and India, it will take approximately 4 weeks to get them completed and sent back to the States and to you. Order by August 30th and you’ll see your new lovelies by the end of September. So when thinking custom … also think ahead.

Have fun! If you need help deciding … reach out! I’m happy to help.

"Like a Girl" is a compliment

Because when you can live fully in the belief that when you have enough and you are enough, that’s when the real fun begins.

- Liz Bohannon

I never really thought of myself as a part of the women’s liberation movement or an activist. In fact, my mom always proudly stated that she would much rather have help changing her tire than do it herself, but common respect and consideration I do actively wish for all humans.

My daughter was just starting to get into lifting weights at college when she was approached by a fellow classmate who said “You lift like a girl …” to which she replied “Dude, I AM a girl!” She was really offended and whatever chance this guy had of flirting or getting a date went right out the window and she experienced her very first “girl pride” moment.

So this fall, I’m sending her back to school with her very own “Like a Girl” tee shirt, made by our beautiful artisans in Uganda. This super high quality tee will promote the pride she has in her sex and in herself. Women are gifted and strong and confident and beautiful. Whoever said anything was wrong with being a woman is a really idiot.

One of the first questions any Sseko Designs Sister asks when opening a Trunk Show is which of these quotes means the most to each guest. “Like a Girl” is our most common response.

On August 1st, Sseko Designs is taking this saying to the streets! This is your opportunity to take your girl-power to the streets daily! $40 for the tee shirt in size 1 or 2. Also available in a shopper tote for $20.

I’d love to see all our young ladies sporting this tee - and what better way than to show them how!

GIVEAWAY: for every sale that includes 2 tee shirts, or a tee shirt and a shopper tote, I will give you one of our not yet released yet beautiful red leather coin purse. Yours for FREE when you show your pride “Like a Girl”.

Sseko birthday sale - day 6

More bags!!

Some of my favorites this time!!

Day 6 brings you all the cool and trendy bags from the spring/summer season. My favorite being the Woven Stripe bag - it’s so cool with it’s black and white design. It literally goes with everything and I find myself grabbing it more and more often. It reminds me of that California cool factor ..

The spring/summer line is all sorts of beautiful colors! I own the Shopper Tote in the Orchid You Not pink and it’s a stand out piece for everyday. The cross body strap makes it one of my favorites because I love being hands free. It’s soft and supple and has an outside pocket that I can slip my phone and VW key into.

These summer designs are on sale now for 40% off but only today! After midnight, they go back to full price. So many customers have been dying for these pieces at these prices that they’re selling out quickly! I even missed out on something I had my eye on 2 days ago .. so if you love it .. click purchase!

Best Day of the Sseko sale is here!

The best sale day has arrived

But only for 24 hours!!

And it’s here! I’ve having a difficult time not clicking that “Purchase” button on the beautiful Carryall Travel bag. You see, Sseko travel collection doesn’t go on sale, even for us Sseko Sisters! This is a rare opportunity to own a gorgeous piece of luggage.

Should I bite the bullet and bring this baby with me to Mexico??

Sseko Birthday - EPIC DAY 4

It’s an Epic day!

Get ready for bags, purses, wallets and travel bags!

This is the day you’ve all been waiting for … it’s the day for bags and totes! Beautiful handmade leather products from artisan women in Uganda and Ethiopia. These aren’t even items going permanently away with the upcoming season, but standard pieces of our regular line AND our best sellers!

Please note these will go on sale TONIGHT at midnight and run 24-hours. At 12:01am Monday morning, the sale will be over and the next one begins.

So rumor has it the Sheba, Convertible Tote, Cross body bags, Eden Backpack, Carryall Travel Bag, Saddle Crossbody … and many many more! I mean really, the Carryall is regularly $349 … tomorrow it could be 35% off a huge leather weekend bag! And let me tell you, my husband LOVES his weekender. It’s like walking through the airport like one of those uber-trendy jetsetters.

If you picked up the Sheba in black during the holiday sale, then perhaps you want to grab the Sheba in Oiled Cognac? It’s such a great time to buy yourself a little something new.

All of Sseko Designs are from small batch production and intentional practices. These sales don’t come along often, and for good reason. Sseko Designs is bringing good jobs and safety to women and their families.

Grab the deals while you can!