*Congratulations to Jeane Campbell of Sacramento, CA!

Click Here to check out her winning board!

Are you addicted to Pinterest? We sure are! If you pin, we should totally hang out! Here’s some of our latest pins, brought to you by the colors red and pink inspired by Valentine’s Day! To celebrate the day of love, we’re going to give away one lucky pinner a $500 Gift Card to eBags!

How To Play

• Create an Valentines Day Pinspiration Board (like ours here) with 10 of your favorite items from eBags and other lovely inspired pins.
• Follow us on Pinterest and post the link to  your board in the comments section below this post before  Friday, February 8th 2013.
• We will announce one random winner on Monday, February 11th 2013.
• Also, you can earn extra entries by tweeting, pinning, facebooking or blogging this giveaway (please leave a separate comment below for each instance with a link to where else you’ve shared it!).
• U.S.A.  Residents only & Must be 18+ to enter.

Good Luck and we can’t wait to see all your pins!

kate spade new york Boutique Stripe Shawna

As the largest online retailer of bags, we at eBags pride ourselves in a large selection of all types of bags including totes. Totes are by far one of the most versatile bag types, with open main compartments that leave room for all your necessities from books to electronics devices to daily essentials like makeup, keys, and wallet.

But not all totes are created equal. Many are designed for specific purposes such as handbag totes which are most commonly used as everyday purses or laptop totes which have a padded compartment to protect your computer while you commute to and from work. Still, there are all-purpose totes with little in the way of specialized features that allow you to pack and carry a variety of items and even change up these items from day to day depending on your needs.

All-purpose totes are perfect for use in a variety of occasions: school, gym, shopping, library trips, and more. But just because they are basic and utilitarian doesn’t mean they aren’t also stylish. Like any other tote types, all-purpose totes come in a variety of colors, materials, and designs - some of which are truly fashionable. Check out our favorites below to see what we mean.

Flote Hudson	Tumi Voyageur Quintessential Tote	Everest Deluxe Shopping Tote Bag	Earth Axxessories Kilim Tote
gogogear Lily Tote	The North Face Acclivity Tote	Vera Bradley Go Round Tote	Wally Bags Women’s Tote

Totes have a long history dating back many centuries, but today’s tote bags are as varied as any other type of bag, if not moreso. To say the least, they are not all created equal. Sure, in their most basic form they are square-shaped bags with large open compartments and double handles, but from there, they differ quite a bit depending on what type of tote you are talking about.

All Purpose Totes: Just as their name suggests, these bags are perfect for a variety of everyday uses. From hauling library books to holding grocery items, these bags are all about practicality and function. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a bit of style in this category. On the contrary, bags like The Sak Artist Circle Top Zip Tote and the Everest Deluxe Shopping Tote Bag come in some lovely patterns and colors.

Handbag Totes: Handbag totes tend to offer the most unique and fashionable takes on the classic tote style with unique color and material combinations, beautiful hardware and finishing touches, and top closures like zippers, drawstrings, and magnets. While handbag totes are also function in that they’re everyday purses, they are also fashion accessories perfect for completing your totally trendy look. Designers like Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Cole Haan as well as fashion labels like Fossil, The Sak, Jessica Simpson, and Tignanello all offer beautiful handbag totes with interior and exterior pockets to keep you organized while you’re on the go.

Laptop Totes: The most recent type of tote to hit the bag scene is the laptop tote. A great alternative to the boring laptop case, these totes offer a stylish way to carry your work essentials and your computer to and from the office and while traveling. Most laptop totes include a padded compartment that fits your device. Some even include a separate iPad or eReader pocket perfect for the fashionable, tech-savvy businesswoman or student.

Travel Totes: Travel totes are ideal for carrying on planes as your personal item or in place of your carry-on luggage (if you plan to check a bag). They are usually larger than the average all purpose or handbag tote and tend to have more organization (more interior and exterior pockets, maybe a center divider, etc.). Many travel totes are actually zip-top cases making them ideal for use as luggage for overnight or weekend trips.

Diaper Totes: Have a new baby or know someone who does? A diaper tote is often an essential item for new parents who want to go out with baby and have everything they need at hand. Like all purpose totes, diaper tote bags are truly functional with multiple interior and exterior compartments, matching changing pads, and accessories like bottle holders and pouches. However, like handbag totes, diaper totes can also be stylish as is the case with brands like Nest, Perry Mackin, and Ju-Ju-Be.

Beach Totes: Like travel totes, beach totes tend to be slightly larger than other types of totes because they need to hold larger items like beach towels, sandals, and magazines. Unlike other styles as well, many beach totes are made from materials that are more forgiving when they get wet or are exposed to sand: canvas, cotton, crochet fabric, nylon, polyester, and straw. Beach totes are perfect for keeping all your beach gear together when heading to and from the beach or pool and can even be carried on tropical vacations and cruises.

College Totes: College students (or even high school students) look for a stylish alternative to the school backpack may appreciate the college tote. With youthful, vibrant patterns and colors, room for books, notebooks, and paper, and sometimes even a laptop compartment, these bags are ideal for lugging around school necessities with a little more style. As a bonus many of these totes can double as all purpose totes, beach totes, or even handbag totes when not used on campus.

You might not think there’s much to a gym tote - just an open compartment and handles - but with this bag, you’d be wrong. Timbuk2 may have thought of everything when it comes to the Timbuk2 Scrunchie Tote.

The Scrunchie Tote is a roomy, all-around gear bag that does feature an open compartment but other features that make it a truly popular gym bag - particularly among yoga fans. One of the main features you’ll notice is that it can hold a yoga mat. However, it is also versatile enough to hold just about anything you would require for a workout including change of clothing and toiletries. An exterior stash pocket gives you quick access to items like your MP3 player and earbuds, phone, or your gym pass while a hidden zippered pocket is ideal for holding cash and jewelry. The bag even has a TPU base to keep your gear inside dry if you happen to set the bag on a damp floor.

The Timbuk2 Scrunchie Tote is available right now in 5 colors including my favorite - Black/Shocking Pink. Each style also has a printed graphic liner.

Watch the Timbuk2 Scrunchie Tote video below for more information or see the bag now at eBags.com.

Want to know how to make a mojito? Need a recipe for a mai tai or sangria? Then this tote is for you.

The Earth Axxessories Happy Hour Tote is not only the perfectly sized tote for everyday, the beach, and the pool, but it is probably the only of its kind. It has drink recipes for popular concoctions like sangria, mai tais, and mojitos printed on the exterior.

Constructed to be lightweight and made from jute, this tote bag features velcro closure, a laminated interior, and 1 inside pocket. With these features, it also makes a great reusable shopping tote for carrying the drink ingredients from the store to the party.

See the Earth Axxessories Happy Hour Tote at eBags.com.

Working at eBags means I find myself buying quite a few bags. It’s hard not to when you’re surrounded by and talking about them on a daily basis. My latest purchase was the Parinda Clover bag in Sand and not only do I absolutely love this tote, I think it’s probably the best affordable handbag I’ve ever purchased.

Why do I love the Parinda Clover? Let me count the ways.

Material: Sure it may be faux-leather, but you’d never know it by touching it. The material on the Clover is so butter soft it’s hard not to tell it isn’t real leather.

Shape: I’ve always loved totes, but sometimes their shape can be too plain (too bucket-like, too rigid). Not this bag. I love how the Clover is constructed well enough to make out the classic tote shape while the belt/turn-lock closure creates a slouchy center when the bag is carried. It’s like a combination tote and hobo.

Color: I love the sand color. While it’s almost white, which is perfect for spring and summer, it’s not a blindingly white shade. It’s more of an off-white tone that coordinates with just about any outfit. If off-white isn’t your thing, there are two other colors available: dark brown and black.

Details: The hardware details are just enough to add pop without overwhelming other beautiful details like the pleat-like folds created when the top strap is closed.

Size: The Clover is the perfect size. It’s not oversized and bulky, yet it’s not too small to where you can barely carry it over the shoulder. I can fit everything I need on a daily basis in it. Plus, I can fit my Nook and my journal inside. The straps are just the right length to keep the bag close to the body.

Organization: Talk about organization, this bag has it! Unlike some totes or shoppers that have maybe one or two interior pockets, this tote has a zip pocket divider that not only separates the main compartment into two areas, but also holds items. There are also 2 slide pockets and 1 zip pocket. No, the zippers on the front under the straps are not pockets - just decoration.

Closure: I love the fact that this bag has the belt/turn-lock closure which is lovely, but also has a zip top. That zip top gives just enough additional security for me not to worry as much about items falling out or people reaching in to grab things.

Check out the Parinda Clover tote for yourself on eBags.com. Right now it is only $40.00 (before shipping, tax, and coupons).

What’s the easiest way to store and transport your child’s LEGO blocks? With a LEGO tote bag.

The LEGO 4-Piece Toy Organizer Tote includes 3 removable zip-top tote bags that all fit neatly into 1 large haul tote. The set is perfect for transporting, storing, and organizing LEGO blocks and holds up to 2,250 bricks. That’s a lot of LEGOs!

Each of the LEGO totes comes in one of the classic LEGO colors (gold, red, and blue) and has clear windows so you can see what’s inside. Oversized zipper pulls make it easy for kids to open and close the bags. Plus, when the totes are not in use, they fold flat for easy storage.

While they can be used to store and organize other toys and blocks, these LEGO tote bags are an absolute must for parents of children with lots of LEGOs.

Tote bags are perhaps the most versatile bags out there, which is why most women have at least one in their closet - be it fashionable or functional.

What is it about totes that makes them so useful? A tote is basically a medium to large square double-handled bag with one main compartment. Unlike other types of bags like backpacks and satchels, totes generally have very little in the way of organization, but that’s the beauty of their design. By not having multiple interior pockets and dividers, you can carry just about anything in this bag without worrying about it fitting into individual compartments. Plus, many tote bags are not designed with any particular use in mind which means you can buy one and use it for multiple things. For example, you can buy a tote bag to use mainly for work but also occasionally for travel.

There are probably hundreds of uses for tote bags, but here are some of the most popular:

Uses For Tote Bags

• Reusable shopping bag - an eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags
• School bag - a stylish alternative to the school backpack
• Gym bag - gym totes are sporty yet stylish
• Knitting/Crafts - carry your supplies from place to place.
• Beach Bag/Pool Bag - stash your flip flops, sunscreen, a good book, and a towel in a tote and head for the water
• At the Mall - don’t carry tons of individual shopping bags. Consolidate and save your arms.
• Carry-On Bag - carry on items when you’re checking your luggage.
• Book bag - great for trips to the library
• Trade shows/conventions - put your company logo on a tote and carry it to your next trade show or convention. Or give them away to prospective customers. See eBags’ Corporate Sales site for trade show totes.
• Laptop bag - put your laptop in a sleeve and carry in your tote or use a laptop tote bag with a built in sleeve.
• Mailing Packages - carry packages to the post office in your tote
• Picnics - Don’t have a picnic basket? Pack your picnic in a large tote bag.
• Diaper bag - diaper totes are versatile and stylish baby bags

When purchasing a tote bag, consider what you will be using the bag for. If you’re looking for something fashionable for when you’re out shopping, a designer tote may be your best bet. However, if you want a tote bag for work that doubles as a travel bag or beach bag, look for something that is large and durable.

How do use your tote? Comment on this post and let us know your own uses for tote bags.

Attention all Hello Kitty fans. New Hello Kitty handbags from Loungefly have just arrived. 5 new totes featuring the ever-cute, bow-topped feline are available to order. Plus 2 Loungefly Hello Kitty travel bags (a Hello Kitty suitcase and a duffel) for you traveling Hello Kitty collectors.

Of course you can still find Loungefly’s other Hello Kitty bags and wallets on eBags. One of my favorites is the Hello Kitty Nerd Wallet. Certainly a unique way to proclaim your love for people of “The Big Bang Theory” persuasion.

Did you know that Loungefly also offers other themed bags? Look for Nightmare Before Christmas bags, Disney themed totes and wallets, bags featuring Tootsie Roll products, and even a Smurfette tote bag.

Shop the Loungefly Hello Kitty collection and other bags before they sell out.

So you are thinking about going green. You use the real dishes in your company kitchen rather than the paper plates, cups, and plastic-ware that is all soon bound for the landfills. You have a second receptacle specifically for your recyclables. You have changed the lights in your house to low-energy bulbs. You donate your gently used items to your local charity or goodwill, and you even have a reusable lunch tote rather than the throw-away brown bags that you have used since your mother packed your lunches. What about at your local grocery stores or farmers markets? Do you pick paper or plastic? When was the last time you picked neither in exchange for using your own re-usable grocery totes? If you haven’t, it’s time to make that area of your weekly life green as well.

Need some help finding a few reliable brands and bags that will be sure to last and sure to hold the heavier items on your list? You have seen eco-friendly totes for awhile now, but have you found one that suits you best? The following are bags that I would recommend to anyone from beginner to novice. Some are available in sets, some are individual.

baggallini Zip-Out Shopping Tote.Bagg
Beneterre Clam: Set of Two
Beneterre Splash Set
Eagle Creek Packable Shopper Tote
eBags eTote - 3 pc Set
Soapbox Bags GoGo Green Shopping Bag Kit
TOKYObay Carry Eco Polka Dots Recycled -3 pak