Because I refuse to compromise on style or functionality: @BesideU_Canada Bags

I refuse to compromise. Why should I? 

I think I deserve both great style and superb functionality. 

The Fontana bag from the Beside U Canada Nutopia Leather Trim Travel Bag Collection gives me the quality and features I want without the need to compromise on style.

Perfect for all my work, play and travel needs.
The Fontana bag is loaded with security and convenience features making it perfect whether travelling, for use going to and from work, or just out and about. Like all the Beside U Canada products, you'll find both the inside and the outside of the Fontana bag has the same attention to detail and styling. 

• Available in 3 colour options. For me it's almost always classic black but the jester red and ocean blue options would add a great pop of colour. 
• Made from easy care and tear resistant Nylon that is lightweight and water resistant.
• Detachable strap makes carrying it crossbody or over the shoulder easy. 
• Zip-top closure keeps contents private and safe. An important security feature in my opinion.
• Convenient Outer Compartments make accessing frequently used items fast and easy. 
• Detachable Security Whistle and Keychain

•  The Fontana inner design and detailing includes a fun stripped fabric lining, several pockets to help keep all your items organized and easily accessible, a RFID guarded pocket, as well as separate sleeves for a laptop (13 inch) and a tablet. 

• RFID guarded pocket: Credit cards, bank cards, and even Canadian passports have RFID chips. The RFID guarded pocket helps protect your private information by blocking RFID signals from being unknowingly scanned. Another important safety and travel feature in my opinion. 

• Measuring 37 cm L x 31 cm H x 13 cm D making it well within the Personal Item size regulations of airlines.

The Fontana bag makes a great holiday gift. Whether for a snowbird senior, a career girl, a student, a travel enthusiast, a blogger, or someone who is like most of us are combination of all of these, a great bag is a must have. I suggest you trim your tree with something from the Forever Young Trim collection. I'm particularly fond of the Felix backpack and the Ottawa cross-body bag. Now until December 31st you can use my exclusive code (CTOL15) to get a 15% discount any Beside U Canada bag including the entire Forever Young Trim collection.

Image courtesy of Beside U Canada

You'll also find a few of my other favourite designs like the Kaylee, the Indianapolis and the Isabel are currently part of the Holiday Specials Collection and 25% off until the end of December. Use the CTOL15 discount code to get an additional 15% off the Holiday Specials Collection. Shipping is fast and free on orders over $99. making your holiday shopping easy and stress-free. 

Get social with Beside U Canada on twitter, and facebook. 

And take a take a look at both My Take and Thing 2's Take on the Beside U Canada Minneapolis Backpack and how it works for both Mother and Son. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about how with so many fabulous Beside U Canada bags one is never going to be enough!

Note: I received the Fontana bag from Beside U Canada free of charge for the purpose of this review and post. All opinions are my own. 

YOW - PHL - MAD: @BesideU_Canada Backpack's International #Travel

MY Beside-U Minneapolis Backpack Goes On A Travel Adventure.

Madrid MAD - Philadelphia PHL - Boston BOS - Ottawa YOW 

4 Airports - 4 Cities - 2 Airlines - 5 Flights - 3 Hotels

But wait ... I did say MY backpack. So how did it manage to go with Thing 2 to Spain? Good question! The story goes something like this: The door bell rings ... Me: "Oh look my Beside U Minneapolis Backpack has arrived!" Thing 2: "Thanks, mine now!" and runs away. He immediately packs it with all his school notes, laptop, tablet and textbooks, then quickly hides it in his room. For the next month I only catch quick glimpses of MY backpack as he walks out the door for school, until we drop him (and it) at the airport for his trip to Spain. His first solo trip abroad, without one of his parents. I admit I was a bit nervous about this trip, and all the things that might go wrong.

The RFID guarded pocket in MY backpack reduced my worry about Thing 2's debit card information being scanned and stolen. The RFID guarded pocket is big enough to easily hold his wallet and passport.  This was important since he had only taken a limited amount of cash and his debit card was his only way to access the rest of his funds. 

MY backpack was perfect as a carry-on, being lightweight, with lots of compartments and pockets Thing 2 easily organized all the items he'd need for his trip and to keep up on his school work while travelling. It has a separate pocket for his laptop and his tablet, and still room for his camera, snacks, water bottle, and a travel blanket. Being organized means he's less likely to lose or forget items along the way. Just saying ... in my experience teens aren't always the best at keeping track of their stuff, so any help they can get is a good thing.

Once there he could load MY backpack up with all the items he needed for the day: Hat, camera, phone, jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses ... or in the words of Thing 2.

• "It's smallish (that's a good thing) and has separate pouch for laptop and tablet. It's lightweight and I can fit all my stuff in it." 
• "I like the style, it's plain (or understated, also a good thing) and not too busy, but still looks good." 
• "You can tell thought went into both the exterior and interior design, and the quality." 

My brain auto-translates everything Thing 2 says into Mom speak, so I actually heard this: 

• Nice simple design that incorporates lots of compartments without looking too busy.
• It has a strong, light-weight water-resistant exterior.
• I like all the pockets and compartments, including two large exterior pockets each with a smaller zipped compartment on the pocket flaps, that makes staying organized easy.
• Separate interior sleeves to protect a laptop (up to 15 inches) and a tablet. Finally somewhere to put a tablet.
• Interior RFID guarded zipped pocket large enough to fit a wallet, to protect against identity theft, and blocks RFID signals from being unknowingly scanned.
• Padded adjustable straps and top carrying handle.

Lightweight, just the right size and oh so stylish. 

Just look how it strikes a pose all over Madrid! 

Check out this sweet ride! 

Found some great bars in Madrid - and by bars I mean bars on this fence. 

Me and this great view! We look Marvellous! 

Just hanging out taking in the street culture in Madrid. 

I love my son but trying to get him to articulate what he liked about this backpack is an exercise in frustration. Thing 2 is a man of few words, but his actions speak volumes. He took this backpack almost three months ago and has used it continually since then, for school, night school, on weekends when he's out with his friends, and yes to Madrid and back. I originally chose this style for a conference I attended in April, but I probably could have predicted it being confiscated by Thing 2 when I chose it. He was beside me giving unsolicited opinions on which backpack I should choose.

It was good advice because this style is very versatile, well suited to multiple purposes, and appeals to both genders and across generations. Like Mother - Like Son: We both had a hard time deciding which of the many great Beside U Canada products to pick, we both were impressed with how fast it was delivered, we were both impressed with the design and quality of the Minneapolis backpack and both Mother and Son give it two thumbs up.

Stay up to date on all Beside U Canada products at their website, and on twitter and facebook.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about MY Beside U Canada backpack. 

Note: I received a BesideU Canada Minneapolis Backpack for the purpose of this and my Ode to My Minneapolis Backpack post. All opinions are my own and reflect my personal experience with the brand and product. 

Ode to My @BesideU_Canada Backpack #RFIDguarded #TravelPlayWork

Ode to BESIDE-U Canada Minneapolis backpack ...

Comes in three different colours, 
and has pockets a many.
It combines style and function, 
and storage plenty.

It's both sturdy and strong, 
but still feather light.
Perfect to transport my stuff, 
on a road trip or flight.

Both a RFID guarded pocket and.
spots for a laptop and tablet.
To protect my personal information,
and all of my gadgets.

The features included have 
exceeded all expectations. 
Design that suits Mother and son, 
and appeals across generations.

In less than a month I will be attending my sixth conference, and the Beside U Canada Minneapolis Backpack is perfect to pack up all my conference essentials. It easily fits and keeps organized: my wallet, laptop, tablet, phone, notepads, and all the other gadgets and accessories. One Bag, fulfilling all my needs! The only way to improve on this would be to add the Alyssa Wallet and the Carli Crossover Bag which can be used in combination with the backpack or separately when only few essentials like a wallet, phone and room key are required. Together they create a mobile organizational system perfect for commutes to work, travel, a conference or daily life.

Mom's favourite features:

• I like the simple design that incorporates lots of compartments without looking busy.
• I like that this design of this backpack is great for either myself or the men in my family. No need for a closet full of backpacks.
• It's has a strong light-weight water-resistant nylon exterior.
• I love all the pockets and compartments, including two large exterior pockets each with a smaller zipped compartment on the pocket flaps, that make staying organized easy.
• Separate interior sleeves to protect a laptop (up to 15 inches) and a tablet. Finally somewhere to put my tablet!
• Interior RFID guarded zipped pocket large enough to fit a wallet, to protect against identity theft and blocks RFID signals from being unknowingly scanned. 
• Padded adjustable straps and top carrying handles.
• Logo keychain.

It took me a while to finally decide on a bag from the Beside U Canada website because there were so many great products and bags to choose from. Personally, I think combining this backpack with a small crossover bag allows for flexibility and mores it from an excellent accessory to a "system" perfect for travel, play or work. 

It's easy to see why this is the perfect backpack to organize all my conference essentials and gadgets, but it turns out the Minneapolis backpack is perfect not just for Mom, but also for son. No sooner had this backpack arrived before Thing 2 grabbed it for his trip to Spain. Take 2 from Thing 2 - Have Backpack Will Travel - to Spain. 

Take a minute to read my friend Aeryn Lynne at Geek with Style post. She does a great job of explaining RFID and why RFID guarded pockets are important to protect your private information.
Beside U Canada: on Twitter, on Facebook 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about #TravelPlayWork and my Beside U Canada backpack.

Note: I received a Beside U Canada Minneapolis backpack free of charge for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.