6 August 2007

CONTEST: get your exclusive bella bags by marcía here!

The other night I was strolling around the Internets at my dear, sweet, beloved P’s request, looking for what I’ll call a man bag. They’re quite popular here in Europe and great for the summer as pocket space is rather limited.

I picked up a nice canvas one for him at the market last week, but he’s already looking toward winter and the rainy season, so I’m on a mission to find a nice leather pouch–a cross between a fanny pack and a small purse–kind of looks like a camera bag.

Anyway, I typed in “borsetta di pelle,” which means small leather purse, and I stumbled across one of most wonderful sites I’ve seen in a long, long time: Bella Bags by Marcía.

These are some of the cutest, most original, most fun [insert more positive, superlative adjectives here] bags I’ve seen, and I immediately thought of all of my wonderful readers who might also enjoy a Bella Bag or two or three, etc.

So I contacted the bella Marcía, and starting now until 19 August, you can get your very own Bella Bag at 15% off just by entering the coupon code “bleedingespresso” at checkout!

bella bags by marcia e-party invite

These bags and other accessories make fabulous gifts–birthdays, baby showers, holidays, thanks for being my friend days, or, you know, just for yourself when you want to carry around a bag that no one you know will have.

And we *do* love to be unique, don’t we?

Also, for those of you who are green-minded (go you!), Marcía has ultra-cool organic shopping bags made of 100% organically grown cotton that are only $14.00 a piece:

bella bags organic shopper

Here are some more of my personal favorites:

Beach Bag (now on sale!)

bella bags beach bag

Hand Bag (now on sale!)

bella bags hand bag

La Borsetta

bella bags la borsetta

Book Bag

bella bags book bag

Gym Bag

bella bags gym bag

There are lots of different, unique choices from fabric to shape–yoga mat baggift certificate so that special gal can choose her own bag. anyone?–and you can even give a

If you don’t see the exact one you want but have a great idea, Marcía will work with you on a customized bag as well.

Also, throughout the contest, do check back on the site for new additions!

Once I saw the Bella Bags site, I was planning on featuring Marcía’s bags on here anyway, but then I saw that I could earn a free Bella Bag by hosting an online party. I assure you, though, this is not my reason. And a contest was born.

***CONTEST***

Through this sale, if I happen to earn enough Bella Bag points for a freebie, I will randomly pick a name from those who comment on THIS POST up until (and including) 11:59 p.m. (that’s 23.59 to some of you) (CEST) on 19 August; the name selected will get a free Bella Bag (I’ll pay for shipping).

Each name will only be entered once in the random drawing, and you can live anywhere in the world to enter.

But there’s more! Even if I *don’t* earn enough points, I’ll go ahead and spring for a bag myself and then pick a winner (same guidelines as above on eligibility and selection).

To be clear, that’s ONE winner, either sponsored by your purchases or by mine. Bag is always my choice, though, so for your sake, I do hope we have similar tastes.

Sound good? Any questions, please leave them in the comments or email me.

As I wrote to Marcía, supporting creative entrepreneurs is important to me because I truly admire anyone with the talent and drive to forge ahead doing what they love.

On that note, if any of you creative entrepreneurs out there would like to be featured here (I’m looking at you Jane!), shoot me an email and we can work something out.

And to my fellow bloggers, why not host an e-party of your own to support the wonderful creative souls that surround us?

Now you should:

(1) Leave a comment here for your chance to win a Bella Bag;

(2) Tell your friends, family, and fellow online addicts to come over here and comment as well (and, you know, have a look around if they so desire); and

(3) Go over to Bella Bags by Marcía and buy a Bella Bag of your own. Be sure to use the coupon code “bleedingespresso” at checkout for the 15% discount, and this way you’ll be *sure* to have the coolest bag to close out the summer…or already have a head start on your holiday gift list.

Happy shopping and in bocca al lupo!

—————

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  • 90 beans of wisdom »

    • 90 beans of wisdom to “CONTEST: get your exclusive bella bags by marcía here!”

    1. Sharon on 06 Aug 2007 at 9:51 am #

      Oh goodie….

      I am first in line!! Now I have to go and see theBella Bag site…

      Sharon

    2. Poppy Fields on 06 Aug 2007 at 11:01 am #

      Throw my name in…now I’m off to do some Bella bag shopping :)

    3. Carla on 06 Aug 2007 at 11:37 am #

      Sounds cool. I’m going to check out their site right now.

    4. Sara, Ms Adventures in Italy on 06 Aug 2007 at 11:57 am #

      I like that you’re supporting handmade articles…!!! :) Good contest.

    5. nova on 06 Aug 2007 at 12:01 pm #

      Those bags are adorable! I must comment!

    6. chris & erin on 06 Aug 2007 at 12:58 pm #

      Yay! I love contests…and I really love the support of more green reusable shopping bags (like in my recent post.

      Also, do you know of Etsy.com?! It’s a great place for all handmade stuff!

    7. Giulia on 06 Aug 2007 at 1:00 pm #

      OK, when you had mentioned that you were going to host a contest, I was thinking along the lines of something simple. I really like this idea. Very creative, Michelle!
      That’s very kind of you to offer to purchase one yourself if you don’t accumulate enough points. I don’t think it will come to that though because you have many readers and I don’t know any woman who would pass up the opportunity to purchase a purse… especially, at 15% off! ;)

    8. mks on 06 Aug 2007 at 1:02 pm #

      Virtual shopping Virtual contests…what fun. Off to check out the BellaBag site now!

    9. LaurinainItalia on 06 Aug 2007 at 1:03 pm #

      Hmm…these would be perfect for my new job, and I trust your judgement. Checking out the site now…

    10. Cherrye on 06 Aug 2007 at 1:20 pm #

      Very fun idea, Michelle! You are great at this!! (SO - THIS IS ME BEING OFFICIALLY “IN” THE DRAWING…) Don’t you hope I win?? No shipping! :-)

      Going to check out that site now!

    11. Amanda on 06 Aug 2007 at 1:28 pm #

      Ooh lovely! Add me! I’m off to browse the bags now :)

      London Southern Belle

    12. Heather on 06 Aug 2007 at 1:43 pm #

      This is an awesome contest, and those bags rock! Can’t wait to see who wins!

    13. ignipott on 06 Aug 2007 at 1:45 pm #

      …un saluto siculo… bel blog!

      ignipott.blogspot.com

    14. JennDZ - The Leftover Queen on 06 Aug 2007 at 1:49 pm #

      Sounds like a great company! I love supporting those who are trying to make the world a little greener!

      Cool contest idea!

    15. Ninotchka on 06 Aug 2007 at 1:50 pm #

      Very cute bags. Considered me entered!

    16. Fran on 06 Aug 2007 at 2:04 pm #

      You are the greatest! Of course you know that I don’t need a contest to love your blog, but enter me anyway! I am going to check out the Bella Bag site now….

      Fran

    17. stefanie on 06 Aug 2007 at 2:25 pm #

      I keep thinking I am going to make my own canvas shopping bags, and I never do it, so I really should just stock up on something like those organic cotton ones already!

      Fun contest, and lovely bags. Great idea, Sognatrice!

    18. nyc/caribbean ragazza on 06 Aug 2007 at 2:39 pm #

      fantastic idea! I need a green bag for grocery/market shopping. I will check out the site.

    19. Lisa Milton on 06 Aug 2007 at 3:02 pm #

      Ooh, I want to play.

      Thanks for the heads up. The bags are super cute.

    20. Shan on 06 Aug 2007 at 3:06 pm #

      Great idea! I’m throwing my hatinto the ring and now I’m off to check out the site.

    21. Karen Beth on 06 Aug 2007 at 3:11 pm #

      Neato! I’d love to be entered into the drawing. Thanks, Sognatrice!

    22. Mae on 06 Aug 2007 at 3:28 pm #

      Oooh… I am utterly in love with that book bag. At first I loved the beach bag, but the colors of the book bag are so me. And I love books.

      I have to check out the site. It just so happens my current purse had a pocket seam bust open over the weekend… mmm. :D

    23. ViVi on 06 Aug 2007 at 3:47 pm #

      It seems I got back from vacation just in time! These bags are adorable! :)

    24. Jannis on 06 Aug 2007 at 3:51 pm #

      Muy bonitos. Hay uno que me gusta especialmente.
      Very beautiful. There is one that I especially like! Molto intelligente.

    25. Paolo on 06 Aug 2007 at 3:57 pm #

      OK, I hated this idea at first glance, but like the other P, I am in need of what we on the West Coast daintily refer to as a “European carry-all.”

      ‘Cause “murse” is so 90s.

    26. a far away friend on 06 Aug 2007 at 4:18 pm #

      What a great idea !!! These bags are adorable. Internet purse parties… how modern we are becoming!!

    27. Aimee on 06 Aug 2007 at 5:00 pm #

      who doesn’t love cute bags?? :) what a fun contest to have for your first one.

    28. Annika on 06 Aug 2007 at 5:16 pm #

      It’s not fair, you KNOW how irresistable bags are to women. The Bella bags are terribly cute too, I *love* the borsetta…

      So, yeah. Please let me in on the contest. :)

    29. Wanderlust Scarlett on 06 Aug 2007 at 6:17 pm #

      YAY bags!!

      um… if I get the one with the sunglasses and cooler, does the beach come with it?

      ;o)-

      No worries… I somehow have every confidence that we have very similar tastes.

      PS - Dragon Boat Festivalness is up on my page… took me long enough, huh?

      Scarlett & V.

    30. Kathy on 06 Aug 2007 at 6:48 pm #

      Count me in!!! These bags look great, and well, I’m a sucker for bags!

    31. Wendy on 06 Aug 2007 at 7:07 pm #

      I’m in and now I’m off. Off to go shop at Bella Bags!

    32. jessica in rome on 06 Aug 2007 at 7:18 pm #

      OOHHH I am lusting after the yoga bag! Cute stuff!

    33. Deb R on 06 Aug 2007 at 7:39 pm #

      Ok, commenting to throw my name in the hat for a Bella bag. Now to go look at them! :-)

    34. A Novelist on 06 Aug 2007 at 8:08 pm #

      Oh they are adorable. I must have one! Please put my name into the mix! :)

    35. Anastasia on 06 Aug 2007 at 8:12 pm #

      Cute! I’m in too! :)

      anastasia_falling@yahoo.com

    36. janet on 06 Aug 2007 at 8:26 pm #

      One of these days I’m going to win something. :)

    37. qualcosa di bello on 06 Aug 2007 at 9:00 pm #

      nice idea! & the name is perfect too!

    38. Anonymous on 06 Aug 2007 at 9:45 pm #

      Oh, whew! when I first saw the word “contest”, I figured you would want us to write a poem about you using every word in the alphabet or something like that. But looking at bags–I can do that!

      Andrea

    39. witnessing am i on 06 Aug 2007 at 10:30 pm #

      Sognatrice,

      I just wanted to say “hi,” that’s all. I am bad about this contest stuff but I wanted you to know I was here, in your corner, cheering you on.

      And I loved the images from Thursdays post. Such warmth.

      David

    40. Italian Woman on 07 Aug 2007 at 12:59 am #

      Wow, do you know how to pick out cute bags Please throw in my name. The only thing I like better than eating is shopping Grazie

    41. odessa on 07 Aug 2007 at 1:41 am #

      oh, i want to be in the contest too! i love handmade products and those bags are too cute. i’m eyeing the yoga mat bag. problem is, i don’t even do yoga, but maybe if i’ll buy one it will get me started. hehe.

    42. Curatrix on 07 Aug 2007 at 4:24 am #

      Count me in too! Now you can see who your loyal blog(and bag)-loving readers are - there’s a ton of us!

    43. ChristinaG on 07 Aug 2007 at 9:50 am #

      Those are some cute bags! I’ll have to look if she’s got diaper bags!

    44. Mélanie on 07 Aug 2007 at 10:24 am #

      italian things are the best . Italians have such a good taste. I go very quick to see this site.
      Thank you to share that with us.
      mélanie

    45. My Melange on 07 Aug 2007 at 12:20 pm #

      Wow girl…you have been busy! I love the idea! :)

    46. Blame It on Paris on 07 Aug 2007 at 1:38 pm #

      Great bags! She’s very talented.

    47. laxlaw on 07 Aug 2007 at 2:40 pm #

      They are very cute bags! Oooh, oooh, pick me, pick me! And I won’t even make you pay for shipping (wink, wink)

      Love ya, K…er laxlaw

    48. JennieBoo on 07 Aug 2007 at 3:00 pm #

      La Borsetta is my favorite!

      “Hook me up Sognatrice”!

      :)

    49. Caffienated Cowgirl on 07 Aug 2007 at 3:09 pm #

      The “Hand Bag” is gorgeous!!! What a contest - thanks for the fun!

    50. martie on 07 Aug 2007 at 3:56 pm #

      My daughter in Kentucky has a bag that looks very close to these and she got in online…..maybe it’s a Bella Bag!

      Enter me too, please!

    51. Karina on 07 Aug 2007 at 6:15 pm #

      These are great bags! There’s a store about an hour from me that allows you to pick your own patterns and create your own bags, and this reminds me of it…but the bonus is with these, I can shop on-line! ;-)

      Off to visit Bella Bag!

    52. somepinkflowers on 07 Aug 2007 at 9:24 pm #

      clicked on the link
      to Bella Bags first
      and
      it is all pinky over there
      so i’m going back….

      :-)

      PS– you are having such fun
      with all this, aren’t you?

      i love that you do…
      because
      WHY NOT?

    53. Enza on 08 Aug 2007 at 1:36 am #

      Bags are my weakness!!! I am off to do some Bella Bag shopping. My husband is going to ban me from Bleeding Espresso! :)

    54. JT on 08 Aug 2007 at 5:50 am #

      Hmmmm…Can never have too many Man purses! :)

    55. KC on 08 Aug 2007 at 9:44 am #

      What a great contest! Count me in. Those bags are great, I especially like the pattern on la borsetta. I think I may order one of the large totes to use as a diaper bag.

    56. Beckie on 08 Aug 2007 at 5:21 pm #

      Oh, count me in! I am headed over to check out the rest of the bags. Very nice!

    57. Heidi on 08 Aug 2007 at 10:24 pm #

      How fun!! These bags are awesome!!!

    58. Mimi on 09 Aug 2007 at 10:33 am #

      You have made my day. I love bags!

    59. The (Mis)Adventures of a Single City Chick on 09 Aug 2007 at 3:32 pm #

      Okay, I’m a total purse addict and proud of it! Some people love shoes, but I’m all about handbags. :-) Count me in on this contest for sure!

      Christina

    60. Carol on 09 Aug 2007 at 3:42 pm #

      OMG, how wonderful is this! I’d love to be included in this contest, please. Now on to shopping. Thank you!

    61. twofistededitor on 09 Aug 2007 at 4:44 pm #

      The site is fantastic - thanks for turning me onto these bags (not like I need any more purses to covet, but oh well).

      Considered me entered!

    62. Lulu on 09 Aug 2007 at 5:42 pm #

      Wow…how generous of you! I would love to be included in your giveaway. Lulu loves a good bag.

    63. susan on 09 Aug 2007 at 8:32 pm #

      And I’ve been keeping an eye out for some sort of “manly bag” for my husband to keep his stuff in. Thanks for the site, I’m off to visit and see if it will work. (and maybe I’ll win one too!!!)

    64. Bongga Mom on 09 Aug 2007 at 9:35 pm #

      Haven’t visited your site in a while… how great that you are doing giveaways now! And what nice bags, I’ll have to drop by their website now. And please enter me in your contest too!

    65. Tracy Crowe Jones on 09 Aug 2007 at 9:54 pm #

      Me, too! Me, too! Love the bags…and the blog.

    66. metalia on 10 Aug 2007 at 3:33 am #

      Ooh! They’re adorable; count me in!!

      (P.S. My word verification code was “urkll”. Hee!)

    67. Tina on 10 Aug 2007 at 10:47 pm #

      I can’t remember if I commented or not. well, here it is just in case. :-)
      Yay for bags!

    68. Erin on 11 Aug 2007 at 3:24 am #

      I love those bags!!! I’m in. Now I’m off to check her website…

    69. Amanda on 11 Aug 2007 at 7:01 am #

      hoo her bags are adorbalew

    70. Carter-Ann on 11 Aug 2007 at 8:25 am #

      oooh, tres jolie! Count me in please!

    71. A on 11 Aug 2007 at 4:39 pm #

      Good stuff Sognatrice! Love the bags…I am a city girl now so need all the handbags I can get. :)

    72. Matty on 11 Aug 2007 at 7:34 pm #

      Wonderful idea! Count me in too. Would love one of those delightful bags.

    73. Tartine on 12 Aug 2007 at 3:44 pm #

      Oh how I’ve missed your blog… I have to start reading again. Darn work! Anyway, put my name in the hat!

    74. Louise on 12 Aug 2007 at 4:20 pm #

      LOVE LOVE LOVE BAGS!! Count me in….great idea!!

    75. darlene on 13 Aug 2007 at 12:00 am #

      what a neat idea!!….ok i’m in!!… hee hee

    76. jennifer on 13 Aug 2007 at 12:41 am #

      wow! cute bags! This contest is a great idea — for you & Bella Bags! I had never heard of her. Since I am lucky enough to live where Bella Bags sells, I will probable also check out her bags at the SOWA open market.

    77. Kelli Estes on 13 Aug 2007 at 7:02 am #

      Pick me! Pick me! [waving my hand madly in the air]

      These bags are so cute! I’m going to go surf the Bella Bag site right now…

    78. Dana on 13 Aug 2007 at 4:52 pm #

      Great contest! The bags are fabulous. I especially love that they’re handmade. It adds such a special touch.

    79. Megan on 13 Aug 2007 at 9:01 pm #

      What a great idea! I love the polka-dotted beach bag! It would have been perfect to have while sitting on the beach and watching the helicopter fill its bucket in the Ionian Sea:-)

    80. Linda on 14 Aug 2007 at 12:37 am #

      What a great idea.

      Love contests.

      Linda

    81. kailani on 14 Aug 2007 at 11:14 am #

      Count me in please!

    82. softdrink on 14 Aug 2007 at 3:51 pm #

      82 comments! Holy guacamole!!

      Her bags are so cute…especially the polka dotted ones!

    83. megg on 14 Aug 2007 at 10:01 pm #

      Hey! The odds are getting VERY long now! Please count me in for the contest!!!

    84. Anonymous on 15 Aug 2007 at 1:31 am #

      I’m all in for your contest. Love your site!

    85. Joanne Rendell on 16 Aug 2007 at 3:58 pm #

      beautiful bags! thanks for popping over to my blog too.Your blog is great, by the way. I’ll be coming over again!

    86. Becca on 17 Aug 2007 at 12:07 am #

      The website has some very cute bags! Add my name to the pot and keep me updated if you come across more goodies such as this. :)

    87. smtwngrl on 19 Aug 2007 at 1:58 am #

      Toss my name in the hat, please! I’m heading over to Bella’s to browse now!

    88. Serina Hope on 19 Aug 2007 at 4:19 am #

      What cute bags. Throw me in too. I am going to go see what else they have.

    89. chest of drawers on 19 Aug 2007 at 5:39 am #

      Great idea!!!

    90. 1lifelonglearner on 19 Aug 2007 at 6:36 am #

      Cute bags - looking for a computer bag for an oversized laptop. Going to check out bella bags. I’m in !

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