Make the World a Better Place...One Purse at a Time

Hello blogosphere! Sorry it’s been a hot minute since I’ve updated, but it’s just one of those weeks where you’re pulled in 500 different directions, ya dig?! Anyway, I wanted to share a pretty rad story with all of you, while letting you know about a freaking amazing vegan product. If you haven’t heard of her already, than now you will, and I would HIGHLY suggest getting up close and personal with the amazing products of Susan Nichole. Susan Nichole is your one-stop shop for all things stylish and trendy when it comes to handbags a la couture…and cruelty-free to boot! I mean seriously, does it get much better?! Not only are her bags of the finest quality, but this is definitely one of the most “kind” businesses I have ever come across…not only to the customers, but to the world. From purses full of essential supplies shipped to Haiti by the boatload after the earthquake, to using sustainable kind materials in her purses, to her WEEKLY FACEBOOK GIVEAWAYS just for being a fan…this company is truly one of a kind. Following is a guest blog by one of the coolest people I know…my mom. Take a look at what she has to say about Susan Nichole, and afterward, definitely check out her website, and “like” her on Facebook

I clearly remember a Saturday in Oak Harbor, Washington in 1970 when I was 9 years old walking to the dime store to buy my weekly 45 record (3-Dog Night…just sayin), when I stopped dead in my tracks at a display window in our only shoe store in town. There was a light brown suede purse, with colored suede appliqué of a desert scene. The sky opened and I literally heard angels sing. A week later, after many odd jobs…it belonged to me. That purse started my love affair with bags that has never wavered in the 40 years since that day.

My closet’s built-in shelves hold one of a kind Dior, Choo, Gucci, and Furla bags to name a few. I hold more equity in these bags than I do in my home. I can spot a cheap bag or a fake at 500 feet.

I am not a Vegan or Vegetarian. (Had to look up how to spell vegetarian….) But, this year I have started paying more attention to the amounts and source of the meat and fish I choose to consume. My daughter, a Vegan, has educated me on the importance of locally and humanly raised meat. I only shop at markets where meats are locally and organically grown. No factory farms. I buy fish after checking the Sustainable Fish List (which changes weekly, btw.) No fish farms where fish are fed dangerous corn pellets, breaking every law of nature.


I feel good. I feel proud, until I wander into my Mecca. My Church. The Versace Store. As I lovingly hold (hug) a bag that literally brings tears to my eyes, the genetically altered (because she’s impossibly beautiful and airbrushed) shop girl says, “Isn’t that leather just like butter?” I stopped in my tracks. All the arguments of leather being a bi-product of the meat industry, ie.; factory farms, roared in my head. By purchasing this bag…I am still supporting factory farms. Even though the farm was Italian…it was still a factory farm. I could not guarantee that the animals were humanely raised and killed. I felt sick.

My daughter had once told me about Susan Nichole Handbags. A grassroots, cottage based company that designs, creates and sells 100% vegan bags. I “friended” them on Facebook to support my daughter, but never really paid attention. But after this experience, I ordered one. $65? Are you serious? If I didn’t like it, I would put it in the Christmas closet for Danielle. (sorry honey). I also ordered a bag from Shoe Dazzle, claiming all man made materials. ($39.95) The Shoe Dazzle came first, and I looked and looked at it. Not bad. Took it to Starbucks on a weekend…I was asked if it was the new Jimmy Choo! My real Jimmy Choo ($2795.00)…never gets attention like that! When my Susan Nichole bag arrived….I kept it near me for three days. Talk about butta? This is a gorgeous, gorgeous bag! I have a few SN Bags now and they sit proudly next to their Italian, less humane cousins.

In my research of vegan friendly bags, I’ve found many mainstream companies and designers have started vegan lines of business. My daughter and I agree to disagree on the merits of these companies. Susan Nichole ventured out to make humane and fashionable bags as their core line of business. Not a side line, but the life line of this integrity and quality driven company. My daughter, Danielle and this company have changed my philosophy not only on my food consumerism, but my fashion consumerism. There are many companies like Susan Nichole Handbags who are out there doing the right things, for the right reasons. I’m honored to carry their bags and to support them.

Photo Credit for all photos: Susan Nichole Facebook Page


Doesn’t my mom totally rock?!