You remember my bag, right?
The one that Don gave me for Christmas? The one I’d been seeking for years? The one that would hold all the things that I use when I’m on the road coaching?
My recent trip into the city to work and coach put it to its first big test and I am happy to report it passed with flying colors.
I’ve found my perfect bag after 30+ years of searching. It’s never too late, my friends.
When I traveled to the city, I had a small rolling suitcase and this bag. That was it. In the bag?
My laptop
My Kindle
My big old fat wallet
A case full of pencils, pens, and a sharpener
A hardback book
A paperback book with maps of Manhattan
A little case with a mirror, some makeup, lipstick
My cellphone
My earbuds and the chargers for my phone, my laptop charger/cords
My little book with all my passwords and blog information
A brush
A comb
Assorted pieces of paper with info for my trip from Manhattan to Brooklyn
Lunch
Yes, it was heavy, but it worked beautifully. This bag is sturdy and well-constructed. It zips closed, which I found extremely helpful on snowy days in Brooklyn. I use it as an everyday bag, too, but the main reason for getting it was my work.
I LOVE IT.
For those of you who missed the initial post about this bag, it’s from Levenger and it’s the St. Tropez Leather Tote Bag. Right now it’s full price, and for me, that’s too pricey. But it does go on sale. Don got it for me when it was on sale for 40% off and I know some of you also purchased it at that time. It was worth every penny. This baby will last for years.
And now, a little warning for those of you who blog. I belong to a group of bloggers who share information and tips and there was a recent post about copyright infringement. One blogger received a legal notice that she was going to be sued for using an image she found on the web that was copyrighted. In other words, she used a photo that someone else owned the copyright to. She didn’t do it on purpose and was in a panic, as I would be in her situation. In the course of the discussion, others stepped forward with legal information and, in some cases, their own horror stories about copyright law.
I don’t know about you, but I see bloggers pulling photos from elsewhere on the web all of the time. That includes Pinterest, by the way. Unless you have permission in writing, you cannot use photos or graphics other than your own. Simply citing a source won’t do it. You have to have clear permission from the source. There are, apparently, people who scour the web looking for these infringements. That’s what they do. And believe me, you don’t want to be on the receiving end of a registered letter informing you of legal action.
That’s why I never use anyone else’s photos on this blog. I don’t grab photos from other sources in order to do a decorating or DIY post, for example. I don’t grab photos from Pinterest for the same reason. Unless you are willing to write the source for each photo and get permission to use that photo and/or have paid for the use of the photo, you should stop using them. You can’t just cite the source and assume that’s enough.
Okay. I just felt it very important to share that information with you. It’s all too easy to think everything we see on the web is free for the taking. It isn’t.
Last night we watched a little of Dr. Strangelove and all of Roman Holiday. Sigh. Two of my favorite movies. And today on TCM? One of my all-time favorites, My Favorite Year. It’s a little gem of a movie with a performance by Peter O’Toole that is exquisite.
Happy Sunday.
That’s the kind of bag I would like for traveling. I always take things to keep me busy and like to have it contained all in one place. Like you, I only post my own photos and I’m not drawn to blogs or IG accounts that solely pull photos from other sources . It’s a strange world now with all the internet content. Something that is very hard to control. But someone who posts one photo is really not worth going after. Plenty of other big time issues out there. Best wishes, Tammy
Agreed about the one photo, Tammy. But apparently, that is not stopping those who are sending these legal notices.
I LOVE your bag! I tip toed over to the website and fell in love with the bomber jacket cross over bag. I have been on the search for a great brown bag for quite some time! Waiting for it to go on sale. Nothing beats having a good bag to store away our stuff!
Thanks for the heads up on copyright issues. I found one of my pictures used on craftbits blog. They did not ask for my permission. I was a bit miffed about it, too.
Not good when people don’t ask for permission. And then if it’s a photo by a professional that is copyrighted….not good at all!
I love that bomber jacket crossover bag, Becky!
I think your tote is so stylish yet practical, I’ve decided to get one for my daughter before back-to-school in September. (You should be entitled to some sort of commission from the company!)
I’m the first to admit that I’m mildly obsessed with all things dollhouse and enjoy looking at inspirational photos and tutorials. I wish people would realize the time and effort it takes to write and photograph original posts. I don’t have a lot of sympathy for people who “borrow” what isn’t theirs and then say “but I didn’t know” – would they take photographs in a miniatures shop without permission?
I should get a commission! Just kidding – I love to share the things that have worked for me.
I must admit, I don’t get it either. I always ask for permission if I’m taking photos of a mini shop or a bookstore. Always.
That’s quite a workhorse of a bag….and quite stylish. I hopped over to Levenger’s to take a peak…I need to find something a bit smaller for traveling…if I get a bag that’s too big, I will just fill it up, and it becomes too heavy to carry! That, and wait for a sale! ;)
This one gets heavy, but I need something sturdy to hold all my stuff, so there you go. It’s perfect!
OK, this is off-topic. Is that you, Claudia, in the sweet photograph on the desk?
No, that’s my mom when she was a little girl, Nancy.
I love My Favorite Year! I try to catch it every time that I see it is being aired.
It’s on a 6:15 EST, Susan.
I’m obsessed with bags of all kinds. There are my bags and totes for carting stuff around when I’m out of the house, my project bags holding my knitting and the smaller project bags holding my stitching. Then there’s the tote bag exclusively for my music books to take to and from the piano teacher’s studio. I don’t travel but once or twice a year and that’s personal travel, but there’s a load of bags from which to select for the particular trip. Today, though, I’m just getting used to Daylight Savings Time….and hoping I can sit through my daughter’s 2-1/2-hour musical…
I am, too. Or, at least, I used to be. I cannot tell you how many totes, and purses, and carrying bags and knitting bags I have purchased over the years. The mind boggles!
So happy the bag worked out as you wished. It is awesome! I try to never use photos other then my own or those my family takes of Tiger that I have permission to use. I know I don’t even like to read blogs that just post gathered photos from where ever. I read a blog for the person’s own content. I have found myself with too many blogs on my list and so many that I don’t enjoy that I’m editing down. I am spending too much of my time reading things I don’t care about. I have to change that! Wow, didn’t mean for this to turn into a mini rant!
hugs,
Linda
Posts where the blogger just pulls a bunch of photos from the web aren’t my cup of tea. I move on almost immediately.
Love your tote, nothing better than finding that perfect one. My wallet is on it’s last leg but I can’t find another one I like so I just keep hoping it stays in tact. It’s hard to replace these things when they’re such a perfect fit for us.
Finding a wallet is another thing on my list. I’m not real crazy about the one I have, but I’m not up to looking for another one, Dawn!
Should you carry your passwords in the same bag as your laptop? BTW I love the bag!
Well, since the bag was on my shoulder the whole time and cross body, no one was going to get them. Period. When I travel a distance, they are in separate bags. And they’d make no sense to anyone looking at them.
I am happy to hear that the bag suited your needs Claudia..it is such a nice looking bag..I see now why you only post your own pictures..but you know that is why I come here..to see your pictures and here your stories about them..if I want to see someone elses pictures I will visit their blog too..I think that is how it should be..each blogger sharing their own pictures and lives with us..I thank all of you for the hard work you do each day..Peter O’Toole…such a handsome Irishman he was..and a wonderful actor..
He was indeed. I think this is my favorite role for him – the aging actor in My Favorite Year. He’s simply wonderful in it.
I have a favorite go to bag for all things needed. I don’t always carry it but- when it’s needed THATS the one I grab!
Good reminder about photos and content– early on, I would post a picture and site it. I stopped as I learned more about bloghing. Then I made sure and asked to use it , because it was plain considerate and polite– once I learned that it is indeed necessary I ALWAYS ASKED OTHER bloggers. I’ve since tried to only post my own photos…
I should probably go back and edit early posts.
On the same topic– I had a spammer link to my comments only it wasnt their own link. Later the original owner contacted me and asked me to remove the comment that was on my blog ( not put there by them) I’m sure they paid someone to find those links. So — it makes good sense to delete any spam/ linked comments too. Especially if you don’t know that reader or commentors
Good point, Pat. Fortunately, with WP I have a Spam plugin that catches almost all of it and I’ve also altered my settings so that any comment with a link has to be moderated by me. Hopefully, that will take care of it.
Good information. Guess I’m glad I don’t have a blog or anything else on the Internet. I do save photos I like from the Web – especially home building and decor ideas I like. I have so many now that I keep on a flash drive. But I don’t do anything with them, they’re just pleasant to look at from time to time. And oh, I’ve received that Levenger catalog in the mail! They have some really beautiful, high-quality things. Pricey but worth it because they will wear well, last a long time, and look well doing it. I have a pretty good tote for now, but I’m still looking for The Perfect One. I want sturdy navy blue sailing-grade canvas with adjustable straps and a handle, lots of handy little pockets and zippers. And an outside pocket for my Contigo travel mug. It would be nice if it stands upright when placed on the floor too [rather than flopping over]. I know it’s out there somewhere, so I keep looking. Enjoy the rest of the day, and these [can you believe it?] above-freezing temps!
You’ll find it some day, Janet. It took me a heck of a long time – and it seemed as if I never would find the right one. Patience is a virtue, isn’t that what they say?
I just finished watching To Kill a Mockingbird on TCM, one of my favorite movies! I love you bag and will have to keep an eye out for sales!
You know I love that movie. I just saw it a couple of weeks ago and I own a couple of copies, too. I watch it maybe every six months or so? I have to be in the mood for it because I know I’ll be on an emotional roller coaster as soon as that opening music starts!
I love this Levenger bag so much (I had the original beige one), that a couple of months ago when the new purple bag was on sale, I bought it for myself! I couldn’t pass up the color – it’s beautiful. I bequethed the beige one to Brian.
I had no idea that you couldn’t use someone else’s photo or image even if you cited the source. Yikes! Thanks for the heads up.
You’re welcome, Melanie!
Hi Claudia,
I’m such a bag lady, and Levenger is my favorite source for many items, from pens to bags to book stands! I’ve been eyeing your bag for a long time, even before Don was so sweet to buy it for you, but I was worried it would be too heavy when I packed it full of all the things I feel compelled to bring when I go on a plane or even on the train into the city. I love all the exterior pockets. I think it also is made (or was) in a canvas version but the Levenger leather is so beautiful! I may have to choose a color the next time it goes on sale, thanks to your recommendation!
As far as photo use on blogs goes, I have NO sympathy for abusers. I’m glad there are “ambulance chasers” trolling the internet for this activity. It really needs to stop, whether the photos stolen are from professional photographers or from a tiny blog. Enforcement of copyright law is just as important with photos and images as it is with music and publications. This aspect of copyright law is not difficult to understand: if you don’t own the image (or the passage/quote from a book or movie or play), you can’t reproduce/share/put it on your blog or reproduce it to use on something you sell on etsy (this is something which I see so often!), unless you get written permission or your use falls into one of the exceptions, one of which is using a snippet (quoted and properly cited) in a review or similar document. (So, for instance, when you are doing your book reviews it is okay to put in a short quote that is cited and relevant to your review.) Image sharing is a very hot field of law now, with all the image use on Pinterest, Google and of course all the other social media (just like legal discussions of lyrics sharing, which have arisen as a result of hip hop music which often incorporates more than just a passing reference to other songs). And don’t get me started on flickr or this comment will never end!!! I guess you can see that as a lawyer I’m so excited to see what happens next! Okay, my rant is finished and I’m off to Levenger to do some dreaming. :) Linda
I didn’t know you were a lawyer, Linda! Thank you for your valuable insights into copyright law. Like you, I don’t have much sympathy for abusers of copyright either. It’s simply wrong. For example, Don has copyrights on all his song lyrics. That’s the responsible thing to do. If someone used those words without permission, he would not be happy. And I wouldn’t be happy if someone used my photos without my permission, though I know that bloggers’ photos are ‘scraped’ all of the time.
Using others’ photos and images to create a blog post (without permission) is not only wrong, it involves ripping off others’ ideas instead of using and/or creating your own. Better not to post that day….