The Successful Experiment

Like most fashion-forward women, Laura has an entire section of her closet devoted to purses. Be it a formless canvas bag from the sale rack at Target or a big, creamy leather tote from Coach, if it fits her style and meets her needs, she'll pick it up. Maybe she'll switch over right then and there. Maybe she'll put it away for another day. Regardless, the lady likes her purses.

So when she decided to make a purse for herself using an extremely cool Japanese-inspired fabric and tortise shell handles she recently bought, I was not surprised. Impressed to be certain, but not surprised.

The end result, in my opinion, is nothing short of amazing, especially when you take into consideration that it was the first purse she ever attempted.

Dubbed the "Kekkou Bag" - kekkou means "wonderful" in Japanese - this purse is one of those items you have no problem envisioning hanging on a rack in Dillard's, Saks or Nordstroms. It's bright and bold, but with a certain classic timelessness that is always in style.

Laura's imagination never ceases to amaze me, but her ability to translate that vision into a tangible, functional work of art is what really sets her apart.

Good job, babe!