This bag is beautiful, absolutely stunning. I’ve been having a ball cruising around with the bag. It just hits all the marks for a comfortable, sophisticated carry. I’ve gotten lots of questions about the measurements and the features so I made this video to address those questions. Hope you get a better sense of the bag after watching! Stay tuned for the full review.
RELATED VIDEOS:
Sandast Interview, Behind the Scenes: https://goo.gl/MoC1xs *Watch my simple wallet get engraved”
I simply adore these two (2) bags! You saw me fawn over the James Tote during the interview. That day, I learned someone had commissioned a smaller version of the James Tote, but whether or not it was headed to production was still a question mark. I was thrilled to learn that it is indeed now part of their regular line up. Here are my first impressions:
JAMES PETIT – The size is absolutely perfect: 13 X 10.5 X 5. The first thing that struck me is the color. It’s very rich and has the signature vintage look and feel, but with the telltale new leather smell. It is a VERY comfortable carry and I can see myself easily carrying this little beauty everywhere. I would have no qualms about taking it out and about for long periods.
JAMES ORIGINAL – One look at this bag and there is absolutely no doubt why this bag is a best seller. Unapologetically 16 X 12 X 5, this bag stands out. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the hand tag that lets you know the year made and the unit of production. There are no more than 100 handmade units of this color produced for the 2018 season. To say that I am thrilled to receive the first one of the season is an understatement. Since every piece is handmade right at their showroom, each piece is unique, but when you know there are only 100 per season, it makes the product that much more so.
I am still smiling just thinking about these bags. I will be back with my classic bag battle and an individual review for both. If there are any questions you’d like me to answer in the bag battle, please let me know!
I had to showcase these little accessories! They have so much thoughtful detail they deserved their own spotlight.
WINE HOLDER – Here’s what I’m loving:
Subtle Branding – As always, the engraved “Sandast Made in USA” is just enough. Their signature logo is sweetly imprinted on the top AND onto one of the brass rivets. It’s that kind of detail that makes Sandast, Sandast.
Braiding – The handle is braided. It didn’t need to be braided and it was a lot of work, but worth the effort as it really adds to the bag. You can see just how much on the video here (scroll all the way down).
Color – It’s Orchid. Not purple or violet, but exactly Orchid. All the variation and richness of its namesake. BTW, they just released the James Petit in Orchid. In Orchid.
Contrast – It’s another way this little wine holder manages to stand out. It’s got a cinch at the top with a contrasting color.
SIMPLE WALLET – Before I get into what I love, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the fact that this wallet is not for sale. It’s a gift from the owner as a thank you. But, if you love it, you can get this braided bi-fold wallet instead and get your fix that way! Ok, here’s what I’m loving:
Color – Its Cobblestone. I love the name as it matches perfectly – – that gray / blue that is Cobblestone.
Texture – Some of the other stiffer simple wallets I’ve come across, make accessing the cards tough. Not with this one. It’s very soft and pliable so getting your cards in / out is quite easy. This is part of what it means to be Sandasted – it’s already got the ease of a vintage piece.
Braiding – Ok, I already mentioned it above so I won’t go into it too much, but it’s braided 360!!
Personalized – He engraved my name! Watch him engrave it (with my help, of course!) in this video.
Stay tuned, I have two (2) videos coming up very soon. One is a quick review and color comparison of the accessories pictured in the thumbnail above. I picked up these accessories during my studio and workshop visit a few weeks ago. The second is a very special unboxing that you won’t want to miss.
If you haven’t seen the four part interview series, check it out here. There was also some behind the scenes footage that I couldn’t bear to see on the cutting room floor so you can watch that bonus footage here.
If you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong! What a fun afternoon sitting down with Mr. Sandast himself – – wine, chocolate, cheese, coffee and leather, all my favorite things! You know it’s going to be a good interview when you can’t stop laughing long enough to even get started. It’s gonna take a while to edit this goodness, but here’s a bit of silliness to tide you over.
SANDAST INTERVIEW I – Honey, we gotta sell the house…
I love that life is this hilarious mix of going for broke, failing, succeeding and then starting all over again. Where would you be if you never quit that job, moved to that new city or went back to school? In Chris’ case, would Sandast exist if he never sold his house?
I feel like the highlight reel of your life is those times that you pushed your chips to the center and went all in. It’s not all the successes, but the times you went for it. It’s an honor to share the true story of Sandast, not just the legacy of their product, but their trials and their struggles before the rebirth. I hope you enjoy watching his story as much I did.
SANDAST INTERVIEW II – He who wishes to the move the mountain…
Life is overwhelming. Thinking about the steps it would take to be where we want to be is enough to make your head spin so I love the idea that Chris has a mantra that gets him through the minutiae. It’s simple, but perfect and he engraved it on his bag as a permanent reminder.
This is life. Complicated and overwhelming, but simple and beautiful in this weird way. It’s not the big steps he took. It’s not that Blake Lively commissioned a bag (she did). It’s not the Johnny Depp loves Sandast (he does). It’s that Chris comes to the studio day in and day out and life has a way of working out for people that work for it.
SANDAST INTERVIEW III – From that point on, I never looked back…
Chris is a painter. His artwork is displayed prominently as the backdrop of his humble studio and sales floor. As you enter, there is a painting on the left that is this brilliant mix of red and yellows. In the years before, it was a somber mix of grays that gradually gave way to what you see today. Chris painted over it. Then he painted over it. Then he painted over it. To me, this mural is his phoenix rising…we are all changing, struggling, doing over and beginning again. Some people stop at the gray. It’s easy to do. Life is this impossible mix of struggles some days, but I see his spirit and I’m inspired.
If you’re in the gray, keep going. Add just a little bit of red. Commit to doing the same tomorrow. Be just a little better than you were. Life is a process.
SANDAST INTERVIEW IV – We’re just getting started…
Truer words were never spoken. I look forward to the evolution of Sandast. He’s got his feet under him and he’s off to the races.
It’s beautiful to see something come together in the way that Sandast has after years of struggle and self-doubt and the thoughts that plague us. The Sandast legacy is a testimony to hard work and persevering when you aren’t sure of the outcome. Chris, you’re an inspiration. After the success of Sandast, you’re still you; you’re still relatable and you’re funny as all get out. Thanks for an afternoon of laughs and time well spent. I’ll drink to that.
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