Velvet Pepper Luxurious Handbags {Review & Giveaway}

From the time I was pregnant with Big Sister E until now, I've gone through a variety of bags.

At first, I went with the diaper bag that seemed to be rated highly in baby books... only to find that it was huge and bulky and not something that I wanted to carry around unless we were taking longer trips. I also had a stylish little diaper bag that was given as a baby shower gift, but it was impractical in its small size as well as its mainly-white fabric that was instantly dirty the first time I used it.

There were others (many others, actually) over the years and yet, here I am now on the tail end of needing a diaper bag and I'm looking back thinking of the wasted money. Not only did it add up by purchasing multiple bags, what am I left with? I'm not going to carry a bag that looks like a diaper bag when I no longer need to, so they're destined for friends, donations or my next garage sale.

Instead, it makes much more sense to select one. One unique, high quality, ultra-fashionable, extremely versatile handbag that can be used pre-baby, throughout childhood, and then beyond that essentially transforms to meet the needs of women through all of the stages of their life.

Introducing: Velvet Pepper.

Based on a dream that modern women, especially mothers, should be able to experience the luxurious fabrics and classic designs of fashionable handbags without sacrificing the functionality of diaper bags they require, Velvet Pepper bags are everything you need all in one. These luxurious bags and accessories are not only functional and able to free women of handbag organizational difficulties, but they are, without a doubt, simply beautiful.

With the idea that I would be able to utilize a handbag as a diaper bag as well as an ordinary purse and still have it be this attractive made me extremely eager to see the Hannah Purse in Bluenote in person.

As I pulled this bag out of its dust cover, I was nearly speechless at the colors, patterns and textures waiting for me. Measuring in at 12" x 14" x 5½," the Purse is in the middle (size-wise) of the Hannah Collection (largest to smallest: Plenty, Pack, Purse, Petite, Personal, Penny) and just exactly substantial enough for me without being overbearing.

The linen and cut velvet designs are extremely eye-catching and the combination of the olive green and dark blue with the bronze hardware is unique without being too much. The effect of the multiple types of material really draw in the attention on this high quality bag and make me want to continue to run my hand over it!

Reaching in for a closer look, right away I appreciated the snap closure on the Hannah Purse, as I just have to have a way to keep my bags closed but don't always want to fuss with a zipper.

Peering inside, it became evident that Velvet Pepper had included plenty of room to store all of my belongings (and those that I might need for my children), as well as having much of the interior organized into convenient compartments.

Instead of having to dig around in a bag that has just one large pocket (resulting in a jumbled mess), the Hannah Purse has a place for everything.

Featuring one small easy access pocket, one cell phone pocket, a single zipped pocket, and two larger side pockets (great for baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles, rolled diapers, extra clothing and much more), there isn't much more that I could have asked for inside this purse.

I can easily fit my phone, wallet, planner, pens, sunglasses, iPad, and snacks inside and still have room to spare. Had I utilized this bag when my girls were babies, it wouldn't have been difficult to store diapers, wipes, baby food, utensils, a spare onesie, a few baby toys and any other necessities that we carried around.

Being able to reach in and easily have all of my items within reach just makes me happy that I won't be digging and digging when I am trying to find them. No matter if I'm going running errands, going to dinner, taking the kids on a day trip or traveling long distances, the multifunctional aspects of this bag are really great and every pocket, big or small, has been its own step in keeping me organized.

As well as the roomy interior, the Hannah Purse includes a small exterior pocket, which is perfect for a cell phone or other item that gets a lot of use, and five traditional feet on the bottom so that there is never any worry about damage or dirt when you are out and put this down.

The attached double straps measure approximately 25" long, ensuring that this bag easily rests on my shoulder or in the crook of my elbow without problem. When I grab it and go, it tucks comfortably under my arm just right...

...and, for the final touch, Velvet Pepper included a matching signature Pepper Penny and Pepper Pull to complete the whole package.

The Hannah Pepper in Bluenote is an adorable alternative to a regular wallet, as it is extremely soft and just as stylish as the Purse with its patterns and colors.

It also includes a snap closure and a durable zipper to contain all of your important items right inside. Even though this is a small item, it still has plenty of room for everyday basics such as cash, credit cards, keys and a cell phone.

While this great little addition comes included with the Hannah Purse, the Hannah Pepper can also be purchased separately for $21.99.

As well as keeping my money contained, Velvet Pepper's addition of the Pepper Pull (retailing separately for $7.99) has introduced me to my favorite handbag accessory — why aren't these included with every purse and bag?

Simply clip your keys right on the bottom and then hang the J-shaped hook right onto your purse. Instead of your keys dropping to the depths of your bag, they're right there waiting for you when you need them. Genius!

All in all, I have yet to find something that the Hannah Purse can't do.

While we've all seen handbags that have claimed to be multifunctional, Velvet Pepper truly has created a line that can transform to work for all of the different needs that women have and which role in our lives we are in. The colors, patterns, shapes and fashions have transformed what was once a mundane diaper bag into a chic and fashionable tote, whether you're using it with kids or not.

Although their bags have a slightly higher price tag than the diaper bags that you might find in the store (the Hannah Purse retails for $139.99), these aren't just going to serve as a diaper bag but as a purse for all occasions.

The high quality of Velvet Pepper items ensure that they are going to last a lifetime and the stylish convenience that they will add to your life (or that of your extremely lucky recipient, if given as a gift) is something you'll never want to live without.

Thanks to the generosity of Velvet Pepper, one person will get to carry around their own drool-worthy bag as well, because...

One lucky person will win their choice of Personal Pepper 
from Velvet Pepper (ARV $52.99)!

(Enter with the Rafflecopter form below - if you don't see the form, click here! If you have any problems entering, there is a video tutorial found here that can help.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A big thank you to Velvet Pepper for providing the Hannah Purse for me to review as well as the Personal Pepper of choice for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.