When Tool Is Cool

Last weekend, my bestie Lucy arrived at my apt for a park-going excursion carrying the most redonkulously cool handbag I’d ever seen.

-Please explain that amazingness on your arm immediately.
-Isn’t it fab? I got it at the hardware store!

Klein Canvas Tool Bag, $80.00

Lucy’s keen observatory skills make her an excellent source for outside-the-box style and home decor tips – the above bag was initially spotted on the arm of a fellow 4/5 rider. Did Lucy glare at the girl’s find in silent envy? Hellls no. She complimented her enthusiastically instead, and was rewarded with info re: where the bag was purchased. Ace Hardware. Effing brilliant.

Tangent Alert: Yelp reviews are riddled with lines like “I didn’t want to write about X store because I don’t want you guys to swoop in and snag the good stuff, but I guess now that the secret’s out, I’ll reveal how cutting-edge I am for having discovered it first” or whatevs.

Selfish horseshit of this ilk puts you on the fast track to bad shopping karma. It’s lucky for us that Lucy and the anonymous bag source understand that sharing your tips means being rewarded in kind. So, in the spirit of maintaining my already-stellar shopping karma, I’m providing you with five more tool-carrier-turned-handbag options, all of which are well under 200 buckaroos. You’re welcome.

Brown Bag Co Alpine Messenger Bag, $150.00, Home Depot; Arsenal Canvas Medium PVC Bottom Bag, $71.95, amazon.com

Occidental Machanist Carry Case, $59.95, Ace Tool Online; Occidental Leather Adventure Series Canvas Brief Bag, $165.00, Ace Tool Online

Klein Camouflage Toolbag, $59.52, Ace Tool Online