Woman in Real Life: Gifts for Her: Beside-U Pretty & Practical Handbags (Giveaway)

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Gifts for Her: Beside-U Pretty & Practical Handbags (Giveaway)

A handbag is always a great option if you have a mom, sister, bff or really any woman at all on your Christmas list. This is not dependent on how many handbags she already owns either - because really if she has lots that means she wants even more. It's an addiction. But a safe one.

I recently received two bags from Beside-U. These lightweight, nylon bags are practical and pretty. They are durable for everyday use and ideal for travel. Beside-U bags are made to accommodate all the stuff we travel with daily - including technology. There are plenty of zippers and pockets - the larger bags even have slots for tablets! Here's something else that I think you're going to find really cool - many Beside-U bags have a full zippered pocket inside that is RFID blocking. Don't have a clue what this means? I didn't either, but it turns out it could be important to know!

The material in the pocket blocks the radio frequency found in our credit cards that allows us to tap when making a purchase. This radio frequency can be picked up by people with the right equipment. All they have to do is stand next to you to pick up your credit card's signal and steal your banking information! I had no idea this was a thing. Many Beside-U bags have this RFID blocking pocket and all newer stock from now on will have it.

I have been enjoying my lovely Cherie backpack in Blackberry Wine. This bag holds plenty of stuff, for people like me who fill their bags with snacks, notebooks, more snacks, sunglasses, keys, papers, receipts - you get the picture. The Cherie backpack has two security features - a click hook to lock the main compartment and a small, detachable security whistle. It also has an RFID blocking zippered pocket big enough to fit your whole wallet so you can ensure your credit card is safe without taking it out of your wallet.

Another feature that I like about my Cherie bag is that the (adjustable) shoulder straps zip together so you can easily carry the backpack over one shoulder. It has a main compartment with organizer pockets for items like your cell phone and a reinforced compartment to protect your tablet and tech items.

Cherie is part of the Endeavor collection, which comes in three colours, all in neutral tones so they mix and match well when you're travelling. They all have the RFID blocking zippered pocket, security whistle and locking main compartment too.

Beside-U bags are water resistant (nothing with a zipper can be waterproof). You can easily wash the bags with soap and water. I can't say enough about the benefits of that - consider all the places we put down our bags! It's kinda gross when you think about it.

Although most of my clothes are black or dark in colour, I love a pretty handbag in pink or teal. I always get more compliments when I carry a coloured purse. I got this pretty Beside-U Sevenoaks bag in Rose Pink. It also comes in other newer colours (like blue and red) that have the RFID pocket.

How pretty is the striped and dotted lining on my Sevenoaks bag? I love the little vintage sewing machine on the label too. Beside-U offers 17 different collections to suit different tastes. Each collection has its own unique logo plate, zipper pull and inner lining. Each line includes styles such as a crossbody, a tote and a backpack.

Beside-U handbags and backpacks are available in stores across Canada. Check out the store locator to find one near you or shop online. Beside-U also sells men's briefcases, backpacks, wallets and other items too! Men like getting new bags too! Just ask my husband.

What's your favourite Beside-U bag?

Thank you to Francois Aubry for taking the photos of me and my new bags!

Beside-U Giveaway!

Residents of Canada may enter to win a beautiful Beside-U bag - we're giving away the brand new Adele handbag in an exclusive khaki colour (not yet online) and the Belmont backpack in an exclusive pink. Two winners! Enter using the rafflecopter below until January 5th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*I was provided product in exchange for this post. All opinions are authentic and my own. Thank you for supporting the awesome companies that partner with Woman in Real Life.

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