Part of my job with Yelp Pittsburgh includes organizing events.  We recently wrapped up a month-long celebration of style called Yelp’s Fashionably Local.  While we were hosted by some great boutiques in the ‘Burgh, I was the most excited for Moop, a (pretty awesomely big deal) creator of bags designed and manufactured in Pittsburgh.

I have a pretty serious accessory collection.  I think it stems back to childhood when I would love to squirrel away little trinkets in purses and play with my grandma’s jewelry collection.  She always let me “organize” it, which was my way of saying, “I’m going to play with your necklaces and rings now.”

Thanks in part to my boyfriend who helps to fuel my addiction, I have three of Wendy’s well-crafted Moop bags.  I love Moop so much.  The style is tops, naturally, but the quality of the bags are stellar.  I throw everything and then sometimes the kitchen sink in my bag almost daily and these babies are sturdy.

I went in to the event on Saturday knowing I’d purchase one of their bags but it was a toss up between the Paperback and the Paperback Mini.  I already have the Letter Clutch, which is similar to the Paperback in terms of what I’d use it for, so I went for the Mini.  The deciding factor was how Wendy styled it.

As a “fanny pack!”  Only so much cooler.  And a total Game. Changer.  I was prepared to just slide the long strap through the D-ring and clip it like a belt, but Wendy is so awesome, she cut the strap so it fits around my waist perfectly.  Bonus, you don’t get that boob-split like you do with crossbody bags (though I do have a long strap to wear it that way, too).

There is nothing better than being totally hands-free and able to have easy access to essentials: phone, keys, money, lip balm.  It’s currently living inside my Letter Bag as an essential-corral that will move from purse to purse and join me in Baltimore next weekend.

How do you wear your crossbody bag?