The North vs. The South & Tote Bag Obsession

Although I do live in Connecticut, a seemingly "preppy" place, my heart lies with the south. We moved up from Tennessee a while ago, and even though it's not really my home, it's the place where I know I should be. I hope no one from the Northeast takes offense to this, but it is really an aggravating place to live. People look down on my family because we're the hicks from the south, and there is this air of entitlement everywhere I go. And it's not even a preppy place! I go to a private school and even though a Connecticut private school sounds as preppy as it gets, I am the only person in the entire school who is preppy. Teenagers (and parents alike) shun Lilly Pulitzer and are confused by me wearing a polo shirt on a free dress Friday at school. The thing that is most annoying to me is that people call me a "mom" because I dress preppy. First off, I do look older than my age, but never old enough to be considered a mother! And secondly, all the mothers that I know are trying to look like their teenage daughters by wearing obscenely tight jeans and baby tees. Connecticut is a very strange place. I, of course, prefer the south, and there is no question that I will be returning there for college in 2 years. When I read all the lovely blogs that I am following, the authors are sweet as can be and so much happier then anyone I have ever met. I think that it has come down to one common theme: they are all from the south. They're bright and bubbly, and I never see that kind of happiness where I'm living now. So thank you, bloggers! Y'all make me count down the days until I'm reunited with life below the Mason-Dixon Line. 

On a lighter note, I am admitting that I am a tote bag addict. I cannot pass up an opportunity when I see a cute bag at Vineyard Vines or Kate Spade, and especially if there is a sale on Lilly Pulitzer tote bags (as y'all all know). So, here are some really adorable bags that I love!!

These bags are all from Girly Twirly, and I adore them. They come in different sizes, and they are just perfect weekend bags! Also on the website are matching cosmetic bags!

These are all really cute Kate Spade totes. I have the one that says "Hee Haw" and I just love it. 

This is the Vineyard Vines Collegiate Collection for Vanderbilt tote bag! Vandy is my dream school and my mother went there, so she gave me this bag (except in blue) for Christmas 2 years ago! I used it for almost the entire school year last year, and it is wonderful.

This is actually the bag that I brought on the plane to Wyoming! It's sitting in the corner of my room right now. It's a Vineyard Vines patchwork tote bag from about 2 years ago (I think?) and it's absolutely huge. It's a perfect plane bag because it's adorable, large but not bulky, it has a zipper to close it to prevent everything from spilling out, and it's patchwork! 

What are y'alls favorite bags? Are there any other good brands? Let me know! I hope everyone has a wonderful day, and enjoy the end of summer! 

xoxo, Hannah

Posted in: bags,college,connecticut,favorites,kate spade,north,obsession,south,tennessee,vanderbilt,vineyard vines