i may have the ugliest laptop case/cover. and it's completely impractical -- though it's a bag, it can barely fit a pen, a notebook and my laptop.

which is why i'm coveting these designer sleeves by marc by marc jacobs. the colour! the waterproofness (they're made of neoprene)! the faux fur lining (i spent a lot of money on my mac, doesn't it deserve the best?).

love.

marc by marc jacobs neoprene laptop sleeve, $58... also available for ipads and iphones... available at holt renfrew.

my mom is amazing -- and i'm not just saying that because it's international women's day.

one of the earliest memories i have of her is her daily get-ready-for-work routine. as a high-powered career lady (in a field of men), she'd put on a power suit, swipe on a coat of pink lipstick and add a dab of shalimar to her neck.

the last thing she'd do, before bouncing out of the house with my dad (they travelled to work together, awww!) was to grab her briefcase.

that briefcase became an aspirational goal for me. i wanted to be a high-powered lady just like her. i wanted to live in new york city, ride the subway to work and then come home to a small apartment (decked out in random vintage, hippie finds) to make dinner.

and while i haven't accomplished all of those goals, my life has become a delightful variation on the theme.

which is why it may be time to invest in a work bag a la my mom's. something like this hot laptop bag from kempton & darrow. today's a day to celebrate who i am and who my mom made me.

i am where i am because she taught me to be strong, powerful, vibrant, dynamic and demanding. she's also instilled in me smarts, a sweet heart and a genuine love and interest of other people. so mom, thank you -- this bag's for you. ;)

now, who are you celebrating today?