Steady August 2011

Trying to get these out before they pickle any longer -.-' This Steady August 2011 issue came with a L'est Rose multi-purpose bag-in-bag tote, and I picked it for the pretty pink rose bouquet print on a baby blue gingham background. 

Steady September 2011

Now that I don't buy many magazines anymore, I have a few moments here and there to go back and catch up with the issues I didn't get to last year. Here's a backissue of Steady September 2011 that came with a large Rope Picnic tote. 

Steady January 2012

My last January issue! This is Steady January 2012 which comes with a large Agnes B. tote ^.^ 

I really like Agnes B. freebie totes for their cute signature heart and logo print as well as the fact that they are often made with washable cotton canvas or cotton polyester mix rather than just polyester (like the makeup/toiletry travel case that came with June 2011 issue), so this was a must get for me.

Steady March 2011 (Picture Heavy!)

Steady March 2011 issue is one of the best issues I've seen so far among all the magazines I've collected. I guess it's spring time, and all the new clothes, shoes, hair, new everything is out! And of course, the freebie this time being a 3-set Peanuts pouches featuring super cute Snoopy prints doesn't hurt either!

Steady August 2010

This is a backissue of Steady, for August 2010, which also featured a Natural Beauty Basic tote. If this sounds familiar to you, it's because Steady January 2011 issue also came with a Natural Beauty Basic tote ^.^

I really like the tote's gray nautical stripes and cotton rope handles, and from the reviews and pictures I've seen, it looks really well made!

Steady January 2011

This is a late post for the January 2011 issue of Steady, which came with 2 freebies, a Natural Beauty Basic tote and a Rilakkuma 2011 desk calendar.

I actually took these pictures earlier in January but in between day trips here and there, I didn't get around to this actual post until now. Sorry!

Steady October 2010 (Picture heavy!)

This is another backissue of Steady October 2010 that sold out quickly, thanks to the cute Rebecca Taylor laminated polyester freebie bag in pink lacy print.

Steady March 2010

Happy 2011!!! How was your holidays?

My brother visited from the states and my sister visited from the Chubu region of Japan so hubby and I had a full house for a while. It was really fun to have everyone crammed into our itty bitty apartment. What a big and crazy slumber party ^.^ We went to see many places so I'll post pictures soon!

Steady June 2010

Yet another backissue of Steady, this one for June 2010. This is probably my most favorite freebie bag of the moment! You'll see why.

Thanks to Amazon JP again, for providing me with this bag when I was in a frenzy searching for it high and low. Can't miss out on the black and white gingham freebie bag now, can I? :P

I've never heard of the brand Beams, though it seems to be very popular here.

This Beams bag is also made of polyester and is a larger size tote, measuring 20 (height) x 34 (length) x 9.5 (width) cm.

I scored yet another awesomely made bag, let me tell you. Even though the exterior is polyester, it has a satin-like shine and is rather thick. There is 1 pocket outside under the Beams brand logo.

Inside it is completely lined with a button at top for closure, though no interior pockets. And the sewing and stitching throughout the bag is impeccably neat and even. The inside seams are all covered with polyester piping, though no sharp points in corners were left behind as the case of the Paul & Joe Sister bag from the September issue. I'm absolutely thrilled with this one as it is a rare quality find indeed for a magazine freebie.

Here's a picture of a model carrying the bag. As you can see, it's a decently sized tote, let alone so well made and has cute gingham print. Lucky!!!

Steady September 2010

Yes, a popular backissue of Steady September 2010, all because of this Paul & Joe Sister freebie.

I got my issue from Amazon Japan because, of course, no where else has it anymore.

The bag is made of polyester and measures 20 (height) x 25 (length) x 10 (width) cm.

The exterior is rather bland and boring, being plain camellia pink with just a kitty and the brand name Paul & Joe Sister printed towards the top of the bag. It has a button for closure but no pockets outside or inside.

So why did I buy it? Because of the lining. Yes, the lining is a super cute polyester that is white with lilac polka dots and the same kitty + Paul & Joe Sister print. Besides, not every magazine freebie bag is lined, let alone lined with such adorable print polyester!

However, I will be honest with my appraisal that the craftsmanship of the bag can use some improvement. It left a lot to be desired, actually. The handles of the bag feel very flimsy and has overlapping stitches that look like they were done in haste.

On the inside of the bag, at the 4 top corners, the plastic piping of the inner seams form 4 very sharp points that scratches my arms and fingers every time I touched them or accidentally wipe my arm across reaching into the bag. As much as I love the cute polyester lining of this bag, I am afraid this bag is not as well made as I had hoped.