Oh, I got me a new bag. A new bag that is so lovely, sometimes I just put it on a table in front of me and stare at it.

The Retrodelic Ellie Essential is the perfect bag. Size-wise, at 16" x 9" x 6", it is big enough to tote about all my stuff, and not so big that you'd throw your back out carrying it around. The leather is all soft and supple and durable at the same time. Whoever is fabricating these bags knows exactly what they're doing - the stitching is lovely AND serious enough to ensure that it will keep everything where its supposed to be, no matter what kind of beating you give it (but why would you ever do something so mean to something so lovely?), and the hardware is an excellent brushed steel that will still look fabulous and fashionable decades from now. The handles are substantial and feel so good to hold, and they're the exact right size to allow you to wear it over your shoulder, should you be so inclined.

Available in a multitude of colours, both demure and eye-popping, I had to go with the blue that you see pictured on over to the right. Seriously, it's my absolutely favourite shade of the colour, and until this year, it's been near impossible to find, fashion-wise, for at least a decade.

Toronto-based designer Ken Williams is the brain behind Retrodelic, and he seems to be the one handling all incoming orders, via their website, as well. The line is currently on the low-end price point for designer bags, but I expect to change shortly - especially after coverage in internationally distributed magazines like Lucky and In Style, and appearing on shows like Laguna Beach.

Please, feel free to coo along with me.