Bag Lady

Today, my lovely tweed bag from the Gap bit it. I was walking back from class and was adjusting the straps when suddenly one of them breaks off from one of the little holders. It's completely unfixable, which is the worst part. I can deal with a little mending. God knows that I will use that teeny tiny sewing kit to patch up teeny holes and sew on buttons and help friends reattach pompoms to hats. But this is unmendable, at least with the tools I have at my disposal.
The loop not only broke, it broke away from the rest of the strap (pictured above). This is a bit of a problem, as I do have to go to class tomorrow and carry my notebooks and such. On the bright side, I do have a couple other bags here that I could use. I have a Vera Bradley tote, but it's a little bigger than what I'd like to use for everyday. I really only use that bag for my carry-on when I fly and when I need to take my laptop somewhere. I have a green purse from Forever 21 that I used all the time last year. The only problem is that it is also falling apart, and I don't want to have a repeat of today. Until I can get a new bag though, those are my solutions.
I've started looking for a new bag. I'm not looking to spend too much money, unless it's something of really good quality that I know I can use for the next couple years. If money was not an object, I'd go for these:
This is the LL Bean leather messenger tote. It's got long straps, it zips, it looks durable (it is LL Bean after all) and it comes in two sizes. I love this bag. I want this bag. Unfortunately it sells for $149. I might be able to justify this to myself. After all, it would be a great bag for a work environment as well. I could carry it everywhere...
Then there's the Cambridge Satchel Company's 15" purple satchel. Yet another gorgeous bag. And it's school colors. Unfortunately, the pound to dollar conversion rate is still not kind to a college student's wallet. The price on the website of 66.39 tempts me until I remember how much that is in dollars.
On the more affordable side of the spectrum, Gap is once again attracting my attention, though I'm not sure if I can forgive and forget so quickly.
This chambray tote is pretty cute, though maybe a little too spring-y for me. I feel like this is the tote bag of someone carefree - maybe someone running off to the beach or over to a girlfriend's house for a sleepover. Not someone schlepping her notebooks and textbooks and AP stylebook all over campus.
I've still got some other places to check out before I make my decision. RIP tweed bag, you will be missed.