ON FUN ~ Best Bag EVER...

I have told you before about the Best Shoe EVER. When I find something awesome, I like to share it so others can experience the awesomeness, creating a vibe of happiness that keeps people smiling, benefiting all of us in the blogosphere as well as your neighbors in the real world. The above bag is worthy of the Best EVER title as far as I am concerned. Let me tell you why.

I have been searching and searching for a functional and accommodating gym bag for a few years. My backpack wore out and didn't provide enough space for when I needed to bring along a change of clothes. Everything I found at sporting goods stores were traditional duffel style gym bags which were usually too bulky or large. The other problem was that they often didn't have interior pockets or sections to keep my book, water bottle and other items separate from my shoes and clothing. Quilted or canvas tote bags didn't cut it either - with open tops and bottomless space for things to get lost, water to leak and fabric to get messy. Not to mention that the lockers in my gym are so narrow that I was constantly shoving my various bag attempts in them and crushing the contents.

So one day, as I was tying my shoe in the locker room, a bag appeared next to me that seemed perfect. I watched as its owner opened it up and revealed all sorts of nice organized compartments, along with the cutest flower design inside. She didn't have to go digging for anything, nothing was crammed and when she was done with it, she slid it right into that skinny locker no problem. I could barely conceal my excitement. So that she wouldn't think I was a pervert ogling her every move, I told her that what caught my eye was her bag and that I needed to know where she had found it.

It's a Sherpani and she bought it at REI. Which is right where I went to obtain my own a few days later. But you don't have to go to REI to get one. You can go direct to Sherpani's website and buy it for even less there. This beautiful bag is perfection in every way. There are all kinds of pockets - zippered on the outside and inside to hold phones, i-pods and ID cards. Inside there is a compartment to fit books, folders, hair dryers and brushes. There are elasticized sections for water bottles, shampoo and powder. The main section is deep enough to stack sneakers, clothes and a towel. And if you still need more room you can roll up your towel and use the straps underneath the bag to save space. There is a section especially designed to tuck away damp clothing or face cloths. And my favorite feature is the zipper access through the top of the closed bag when you just want to reach in and grab one or two items without opening the entire flap.

It comes in a variety of colors, the strap is adjustable and comfortable, it has a pretty shape that fits your hip and it is durable. You could use it for a diaper bag, a carry-on for travel, as a tote for the beach or even as a briefcase. The company is environmentally conscious and has women in mind with every bag's design. This is truly the Best Bag EVER. It will make you happy, organized and won't break your back. I would say that makes it worth every penny.