My Backpack Story (And A Chance For You To Win One by Toffee!)

Growing up, I’ve always had backpacks. I carried backpacks to kindergarten, to primary school, to secondary school, to college, to university and on most holidays. These days, I see a lot of university students carrying totes and believe it or not, designer handbags (e.g. Louis Vuitton, Prada, etc) to school. Funny story: The first time I stepped into Louis Vuitton at Chadstone, I was shown a bag by a sales assistant who told me “it would be great for school!“.

Louis Vuitton. For school. Is it just me or is there something wrong with that sentence?

I didn’t know whether to be happy that she thought I was a student or to be insulted that she thought I’d carry such an expensive bag to school!

But anyway, back to backpacks. About 3-4 years ago, I decided that I’m too *ahem* grown up to carry a backpack when travelling. So for those years when I did travel, I used a tote or slingbag instead. I even made fun of Mum when she still carried backpacks on holidays. “But Mum, they don’t look good in photos“, I exclaimed. Mum wouldn’t be swayed. Comfort and ease are too important to her to think otherwise while her silly, hoity toity daughter here carried small slingbags that could barely carry her large wallet and phone, let alone her camera.

Last year, Tim and I went on the longest holiday we’ve had so far, and that was spending 5 weeks in Malaysia and Europe. Instead of being sensible and carry a backpack, I decided to bring a thin-strapped slingbag instead. I ended up carrying so much stuff in that small bag that it felt like I was carrying two bricks with their full weight on just one shoulder. By the end of that holiday, my shoulders were absolutely buggered.

I could hear Mum’s voice in my head “I told you so! I told you so!“.

In June, we visited Japan and this time, I decided to give backpacks a try. Sure it’s not going to look über stylish but I was determined to at least give it a go especially on flights and when we’re travelling by trains to different cities. I even brought along my small slingbag in case I was tired of the backpack. I ended up not using the slingbag at all because it was so much easier having the backpack with me. I didn’t need Tim to carry my water bottles for me. I could bring my camera without any issues and most importantly, the weight of the items I carried was distributed evenly on my shoulders and back thus reducing shoulder and back strain by the end of the day.

I wouldn’t say I’m never, ever travelling with a tote or slingbag again but I have to admit that I’ll be favouring backpacks from now on. The ease and comfort of travelling with one definitely beats style for this one especially if I also need to carry luggage. Having said that, there are plenty of stylish yet affordable backpacks out there so I don’t have to worry about looking super touristy.

At the end of the day, I’m on holiday. People don’t know me from Adam. I mean, if I really wanted to, I could just remove the bag and take photos, right? Yes yes, I’m afraid I’m that vain.

Here’s a chance for you to win a Toffee Backpack!

Well, speaking of backpacks, the lovely people at Toffee has very kindly offered a Beautyholics Anonymous one of their bestselling products, which is the Centennial Backpack I carried in the photos you saw in this post. Toffee is a Sydney-based family-owned accessories brand that offers style and functionality for your digital devices. I’ve seen some of their laptop bags at MYER and they’re really good-looking.

The Centennial Backpack (worth AU$129.95) is crafted from water-resistant waxed canvas and leather trims and has a quilted compartment that can fit up to a 13″ laptop. I don’t have a laptop that small but it first my iPad perfectly, with a lot more room to spare for other things. I’ve had many backpacks before but this is by far my most stylish one. I particularly love the top leather handles that clip together. I’ve never seen backpacks that offer this feature (if you have, let me know which ones!).

The one that I have is in red but not to worry if red isn’t your colour because you get to choose out of the 4 colours that they have. For more information about this backpack, please click here to visit the Toffee website (and then come back here to enter the giveaway!).

HOW TO ENTER:
Simply leave a comment below answering the question:

“If you do win this bag, what would you use it for?”

The most creative answer wins the bag!

TERMS & CONDITIONS:
1. This contest is open to Australian and international readers.
2. The value of the prize in the contest is AU$129.95.
3. Employees, immediate family members, retailers, suppliers, associated companies and agencies are
not eligible to enter. If you’re not one of them, then feel free to enter regardless of whether you’ve won anything here before.
4. The name of the promotion is: Toffee competition. The promotor is Beautyholics Anonymous in conjuction with Toffee.
5. The conditions of entry are as follows: one comment per contestant answering the question above. Please keep it clean and spam-free.
6. The closing date for this giveaway is 11.59pm, 5 December 2014 (Australian EDT). Comments submitted after this time will not be considered for the giveaway.
7. This is a game of skill. The winner will be awarded based on the strength of their answer to the question “If you do win this bag, what would you use it for?”.
8. The winner of the giveaway will be announced in the Competitions/Giveaway page on 7 December 2014. The winner will also be notified via email.
9. The prize will be in the form of product that will be sent to the winner once address details have been provided after the competition has closed.
10. The winner will be required to submit his/her name and contact address to Beautyholics Anonymous. The contact details then will be submitted to Brand Meets Blog (the liason for the competition), who will be sending the prizes to the winners (please read Beautyholics Anonymous’ privacy statement for more information).
11. The winner must respond to the notification email to claim the prize within 5 working days.
12. Prizes are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable.
13. If for any reason beyond the Promoter’s control that the agreed prize is not available, a product of equal or greater value will be provided.
14. Beautyholics Anonymous and Toffee are not responsible for prizes once they have been dispatched to the winner. Beautyholics Anonymous and Toffee reserve the right to change the terms of this giveaway at any time.

Good luck!

This product was provided for editorial consideration. For more information, please read our disclosure policy.

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