2019-02-24 03:04:22

Archive for the ‘What’s in your Maptote’ Category

What’s in Your Maptote?

Meet our Graphic Designer, Kelsey! Kelsey started in December and helps with everything from custom design to product development.  Hailing from St. Augustine, Florida, Kelsey has lived in Brooklyn for the past five years.

Q: What do you love most about where you live? 
A: I love having access to so many different kinds of food. Momo Sushi Shack is one of my favorites in Brooklyn.

Q: What’s been your favorite part of working for Maptote?
A: Collaborating on, and creating new products with the team.

Q: What Maptote bag are you carrying?
A: The Catskills Grocery Tote! Its very “well loved” right now.

Q: What’s in Your Maptote?
A: Wallet, keys, water bottle, lip balm, sunscreen, face mist, snack, & metal straw (for mother nature’s sake!). 

Q: What’s your favorite Instagram to follow?
A:
@warymeyers – the coolest soap & candles and tons vintage seventies
@lisacongdon – a lovely illustrator, colorful & inspirational woman
@jessicavwalsh – creative photo stylist & designer with the best sense of kitsch
@thejungalow – apartment goals!

Q: What’s on your playlist right now?
A: Khruangbin, SZA, and always David Bowie.

Q: What location has inspired you most recently and why?
A: Iceland – it is unlike any place I’ve ever been or seen! The contrast in geography makes it seem otherworldly.

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Posted on July 11th, 2018 by Maptote

What’s In Your Maptote?

WIYM-Damian

I met Damian over 10 years ago while attending the University of Melbourne. He’s a great friend and someone who loves traveling and adventure. So excited that he has taken part in this segment of What’s In Your Maptote. We have spent time in London with Damian and he always is a great host showing us all the ”un-touristy” things to do in London. Hope you enjoy his insights and can take advantage of his local knowledge on your next trip to London town.

Q: What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you love most about where you live?

A: I’m Damian and I live in the south of London near Brixton. The location is pretty near to central London and even though I cycle everywhere, it’s also easy to get about using the tube/underground (subway) or buses. Despite being central its really quiet (apart from the masses of planes flying to Heathrow Airport that go right overhead!)

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The painter, Vincent Van Gogh, lived in my street between 1873 and 1874 and back then wrote how quiet it is was in the neighbourhood. An adjoining street is dedicated to Van Gogh and has recently been transformed to create a lovely landscaped ‘shared space’ for pedestrians, vehicles, cyclists to create a community space to walk, relax or play.

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Nearby Brixton is a multi-cultural area which has gone through many changes over the years. In the nineteenth century the area was relatively wealthy, while working class people gradually began to move there in the early twentieth century. After bombing during World War II a housing shortage resulted and in the 1940s and 50s many immigrants moved to Brixton, particularly from the Carribbean. The 1980s and 90s were troubled times, with a number of riots happening. More recently, the neighbourhood is less volatile and is becoming gentrified with many young professional workers relocating seeking cheaper rent. Today a previously downtrodden indoor market, known as Brixton Village, has been rejuvenated with the introduction of pop-up shops and a host of cafes and restaurants serving food from around the world, which has made Brixton a great place to visit.

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Q: What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting and exciting about what you do?

A: Until recently I was a town planner dealing with planning applications for new buildings in London. I’m now working for a company set up by the Government which is planning to build a high speed rail network from London to the midlands and north of England. I’m really interested in how our towns and cities are designed and how people travel, so my current job is a fantastic chance to get involved in a once in a lifetime opportunity developing new transport infrastructure that will last for generations, while considering the regeneration of an area of London located beside the terminus. Unfortunately, the railway isn’t due to open until 2026!

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Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?

A: I previously spent two years living in Japan teaching English. The Tokyo Maptote is my favourite as I spent one of the year living there and my Maptote is a reminder of the amazing time I had there.

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Q: What do you like to carry in your Maptote?

A: As I cycle everywhere, I make sure that I have my bike lights with me at all times. I love coffee so I have a copy of the London coffee guide so that I can visit different neighbourhoods and try the local coffee shops. I also keep my iPad with me and take my camera to photograph interesting things on my travels around the city.

Posted on November 21st, 2014 by Maptote

What’s In Your Maptote?

WIYM-Ariel-Header

Ariel went to college with a few of my best friends, and she’s always been so fun, hilarious and has tons of energy. As she mentions below, she’s a successful hand model living in Los Angeles. Your knowledge of hand modeling may be limited to this Zoolander clip, but now don’t be surprised if you start recognizing Ariel on TV and in magazines. I love it when I find out her fingers are the ones moving across smart tablets in commercials I see all the time. And of course, she’s been a big Maptote supporter for years so we love her for that, but by association I think that also makes us kind of famous. Read more about Ariel and her life in LA:

Q: What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you love most about where you live?

A: I’m Ariel and I live in Los Angeles, CA, specifically West Hollywood which is a great part of town. Is there a Maptote WEHO bag??? That would be a fun and colorful tote! I transplanted here from New York City, but now reside in permanent sunshine.

Without sounding cliche, the sun is a big draw to living on left coast. LA is very much a day city so there is so much to do. From hiking at Runyon Canyon, to grabbing a juice or smoothie from my favorite spot called Liquid on Melrose. There are tons of flea markets that they actually call swap meets and lots of farmers markets every day of the week. The Yamashiro Farmers Market is a really cool one at night, where my totes completely come in handy! A stylish way to represent your city and recycle.

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Q: What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting and exciting about what you do?
A: I’m mostly an actress. I say mostly because I am also a pretty successful hand model which gives people a kick! I’ve been acting for awhile now which is the most gratifying experience when you get to set and transform into a very different version of yourself. My friend and I also do a great little show called Kissing Toads on Youtube that are man-on-the-street interviews all about dating. We get some wild answers!

The hand modeling is pretty cool too and my hands are in a ton of commercials that most people don’t even realize. I was actually on the cover of NAILS magazine when Maptote was featured inside. There are a ton of perks to being a hand model like tons of new nail polishes, lotions and creams. I use my Maptote Dopp Kit to carry around my own personal mani-kit when headed to set.

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Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?
A: I use so many and this is not a joke! I love the Denim Tote because it’s sturdy, hefty and doesn’t get dirty. I also throw in some other totes to go in the bag when I go shopping.

My totes are so convenient, and when I’m rushing around the city to different castings I carry my totes with outfit changes and makeup to refresh. It’s also a conversation starter when waiting around at the castings, people always ask about my bags and if they have one for their city, which they do!

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Q: What do you like to carry in your Maptote?
A: I have a Cape Cod Beach Tote that I always use as my beach bag when I’m on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s big enough to stuff my beach towel, magazines, snacks, and essential spf! My cream colored totes are my summer bags that I use throughout the day, and my denim totes can transition into winter and fall. Although LA sort of has an unending summer.

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Posted on July 30th, 2014 by Maptote

What’s In Your Maptote?

gillian-colin-wiym-headerI’m so excited to introduce this ‘What’s in your Maptote’ with one of my dearest and closest friends Gillian.  I’ve known her since my high school days (go Panthers!) in South Florida.  We’ve always remained close and am happy we both ended up in New York.  Lately, we’ve been lucky to work with her and receive some of her great advice on marketing and branding.  Gillian met her match – Colin – a few years ago and they recently tied the knot.  Learn more about this dynamic duo below!

Q: What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you love most about where you live?
A: I’m Gillian and my husband, Colin, and I live in Manhattan. When asked what part, we usually say SoHo because people know where that is, but we live north of Houston Street so technically we’re in “NoHo”, but I don’t think the name has caught on as intended. Maybe we need our own Maptote to get some respect!

We love New York – especially on the weekends. On Saturdays we go to La Colombe for coffee and their almond croissants – they are the absolute best! Colin plays soccer in Chinatown, and usually has an afternoon game. I have always loved shopping in Chinatown so going to watch him play gives me a good excuse – it’s great for inexpensive fruits and vegetables. Then sometimes we’ll go with the team for drinks at Loreley or The Randolph, but that is often the beginning and end of the night.

La-Colombecolin soccer-loresIn the summer we go to the Catskills whenever we can to get some fresh air. We go for hikes and always stop at our favorite restaurants: Peekamoose, Sunfrost Farms and Sweet Sue’s for pancakes. In fact, Rachel and Michael were the first to introduce me to the Catskills when they got married there!Signs-Wall

Q: What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting and exciting about what you do?
A: I work in Marketing for beauty and wellness brands. I love great brands and the creativity behind them. Colin is a physical therapist and owner of Integrate Health and Wellness, a clinic that combines eastern and western practices for physical therapy treatment, which provides a holistic way to treat injuries or ailments. They are really good at what they do… if I do say so myself.

Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?
A: I have A LOT of Maptotes. In fact, I often have Maptotes in Maptotes. I hate accumulating shopping bags, so usually keep one in my purse.NYC-ZipFlorida-Beach-Groceries-Smoothie2Q: What do you like to carry in your Maptote?

A: The one in my purse has the essentials. Yes, lipgloss counts as an essential. I use one as a gym bag. We had NYC Maptotes as favors at our recent wedding. We love getting photos of them in action — like when one friend put her new puppy, Alice, in one. My Florida beach bag is my grocery bag. It’s the perfect size for 1 big haul, and making smoothies is a new hobby so it’s a lot of fruits and vegetables lately. I love coming up with new combos. Colin says I look like a mad scientist in the morning, but they’re almost always good. This one is carrot, ginger, spinach, and mango. Delicious!

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Posted on May 7th, 2014 by Maptote

What’s In Your Maptote?

WIYM-Christine

Q: What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you love most about where you live?

I’m Christine Durongapidya Friedman. I live on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with my husband, Ashley, and our chihuahua puppy, Stanley. We love our area because we are surrounded by Central Park on one side and Riverside Parks on the other. Lincoln Center and the Time Warner Center are also within walking distance which we often take advantage of.

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Q: What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting and exciting about what you do?

I am an art consultant (both corporate and private clientele) focused mainly on Contemporary and Modern Art. I started CD Art Advisory, in 2010. I have been in the art advising business for over a decade and enjoy finding new talent in all boroughs of NY as well as in Asia and Europe. There is so much undiscovered talent out there and finding the time to do artists’ studio visits with my private clients I believe is essential (and often under appreciated) because the gallery scenes and art fairs can be overwhelming. I am a firm believer that one should invest in art that they truly love and not purely on intrinsic value. I agree with what a famous frog once said, “What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter.” – Kermit  🙂

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Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?

I carry my New York/Bangkok Maptote everywhere (one side is Bangkok and the other is New York)! Our wedding was in Bangkok two years ago and Maptote customized our New York/Bangkok Maptote for our wedding guests —  it is my all time favorite!

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Q: What do you like to carry in your Maptote?

During the work week, I keep my artist files, ipad & various notes from my site & client visits all in my Maptote as it is the perfect size. During the weekends, I use it in place of my handbag since it is so light and easy to carry (not to mention I always have people stopping me and asking where I got it!) I usually have my Muji mini tote within my Maptote since it has compartments to keep my wallet and miscellaneous items. I also use my Maptote NY zipped pouch to store my keys and iPhone.

Posted on September 26th, 2013 by Maptote

What’s In Your Maptote?

Q: What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you love most about where you live?
A: My name is Alison Jimenez and I live in Astoria, Queens.  The thing I love most about my neighborhood is how old school it is. The neighborhood is full of amazing Italian and Greek stores, restaurants and shops, and it has a very cozy feel to it.  We’re on the outskirts of Astoria, but I don’t mind one bit. For the city, it’s blissfully quiet here.

Q: What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting and exciting about what you do?
A: I work in Public Relations for a national non-profit organization. The most interesting and exciting thing about my job is the fact that I get to use the skills I went to school for (communications) in order to raise awareness around a very important issue (animal welfare). I feel like I am helping to make a difference, the best way I know how. And when I’m not working, I run a bargain shopping and fashion blog, NYC Recessionista, which I’ve had since 2008.

Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?
A: I carry the Queens Maptote, and I actually purchased it in the gift shop at the Queens Museum of Art. The museum – especially their Panorama of the City of New York exhibit – has been one of my favorite places in the whole city since I was a little girl. I love that it shows all of the spots in Queens that are really special to me: Whitestone, where I grew up; Corona, where my husband grew up; and Astoria, where we live now. Queens is in my DNA.

Q: What do you like to carry in your Maptote?
A: My Maptote is perfect for carrying around all of my daily essentials – right now, that includes my Urban Outfitters finger-less gloves and J.Crew earmuffs.  And I always have a bottle of water (this one I custom made on Zazzle.com using a vintage school poster that I own) and some snacks on me (Nature Valley bars are a personal favorite).  I also never leave home without my iPhone 5 and headphones of course. My subway and bus rides can total an hour one way from door-to-door, so things that will get me through my commute are a must-have.

Posted on March 12th, 2013 by Maptote

What’s In Your Maptote?

Loren has been a great friend of mine ever since we met in our freshman year at the University of Oregon . She’s been a huge Maptote supporter since we began and we even got the opportunity to create a custom design for her wedding. Without further ado here is Loren’s ‘What’s In Your Maptote?’!

Q: What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you love most about where you live?
A: I’m Loren Spector and I live in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. I love it here! The weather (except for when it’s too hot) is amazing. The food is great. There is always something fun to do. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s only 2 hours away from San Diego, where I grew up and my parents live.

Q:What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting and exciting about what you do?
A: I am a Young Adult Librarian for the City of Los Angeles. I love being around books and information all day long and being able to help people and inspire a love for reading in kids. The library can be a crazy place to work sometimes, the people watching is endlessly entertaining (and sometimes frightening).

Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?
A: I carry the denim Portland tote (and inside that, the Los Angeles zip pouch). I actually have a bunch of Maptote bags, but this one is my favorite because I love the denim and Portland is one of my favorite cities. It reminds me of my college days in Oregon.

Q: What do you like to carry in your Maptote??
A: Since I’m a librarian, you’ll never find my Maptote without a book. Normally it’s a library book, but I couldn’t help purchasing Life After Death by Damien Echols (I just finished it and loved it). The librarian in me requires that I also have my mockingjay pin from the Hunger Games series pinned on. Since I use my Maptote as my everyday bag, it’s got all the usual stuff, my wallet (a souvenir from my last visit to New York), sunglasses, lots of hair ties, gum, snacks, chapstick, pens, keys and of course my iPhone which is loaded with pictures of my two favorite doggies, Oscar and Birdie.

Posted on January 7th, 2013 by Maptote

What’s in your Maptote?

For this installment of ‘What’s In Your Maptote?’ we are featuring Katherine Rogers, a San Antonio native who was kind enough to offer her Lone Star State knowledge in the making of our Texas Maptote! She now resides in Chattanooga, a budding city of young creatives and green initiatives. Read below to see more about Katherine and her Maptote!

Q: What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you love most about where you live?
A: My name is Katherine and I recently moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. I love this place for its people and their passion for this place. There are lots of artists who want to help and encourage other artists in any way they can and they take great measures to do so.

Q: What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting and exciting about what you do?
A: I work with at-risk children as a counselor, mentor, and friend. I am also a photographer. Who knows, maybe one day I can do something that combines these two passions of mine… that’s the plan.

Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?
A: Why do I carry a Texas Maptote you ask? …Because all my ex’s live in Texas, that’s why I hang my hat in Tennessee.

Q: What do you like to carry in your Maptote?
A: There are a couple of things I carry daily in my Maptote- my lucky pig with a crooked eye, a camera with extra film, journals (mostly for list making), and yarn. You never know when yarn might come in handy. Sometimes though, I carry fruits and veggies, a french baguette, etc. because I like to look hip and healthy… neither of which I am but it’s fun to pretend.

Posted on November 15th, 2012 by Maptote

What’s In Your Maptote?

For this installment of ‘What’s in your Maptote?’ we are featuring the dynamic father and son duo of Jack and Jon Setzen.  Jack spends most of his days re-enacting Star Wars fights, playing with action figures and being big brother to Arlo. I have been fortunate to know Jon for the majority of my life and he is one of my best friends. He’s an incredibly creative and intelligent person who also happens to share my obsession for soccer.  Check out Jon’s blog at Jonsetzen.com

Jon and Jack currently live in Silver Lake, Los Angeles with his wife/mom, Mindy, along with their son/brother Arlo. Read on to learn more about Jon and Jack and what they have been carrying in her Maptotes!

Q: What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you love most about where you live?
A: Jack. I live in Los Angeles. I love that I live up a hill.

Q: What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting and exciting about what you do?
A: I go to school. The most exciting thing is playing with Cheryl, my teacher.

Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?
A: I carry the NYC zip pouch. I am from New York and I love the crown and the heart.

Q: What do you like to carry in your Maptote?
A: I like to put my favorite action figures in that bag. I like Buzz Lightyear and Emperor Zurg. Buzz doesn’t like to be in the same bag as Emperor Zurg, but Han Solo does.

Q: What’s your name, where do you live, and what do you love most about where you live?
A: I’m Jon Setzen and I live in sunny Los Angeles. I love so many things about Los Angeles: the weather, the tacos, the produce, having some space and the countless amazingly creative folks I have met here.

Q: What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting and exciting about what you do?
A: I’m the Creative Director at Media Temple, a web and cloud hosting company based in Culver City. I love the people I work with and I love that everyday I am going to work somewhere where we’re trying hard to be innovative as a collective group. I am most excited that I work somewhere we’re providing a service that helps improve people’s lives and businesses. A website is many people’s livelihood these days and we’re continuing to make our service better, faster and easier to use.

Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?
A: I use my Los Angeles Beach Tote every Sunday when I go to the Atwater Village Farmer’s Market. I used to bring a few totes which me, but now I only have to bring one. It holds everything I buy and fits perfectly on my shoulder. It allows me to have both hands free so I can push a stroller and carry around one of the awesome watermelon aguafrescas they sell there. I also think the little pocket inside the bag is one of those things that I now can’t live without. I can just throws my loose bills and change in there. I don’t have to take out my wallet every time I buy something.

Q: What do you like to carry in your Maptote?
A: This past weekend I took both my kids with me and the older one, Jack, took some photos (including the unflattering photo of me). We stocked up apples, avocados, tomatoes, spinach, cheese, strawberries, blackberries, peaches, green beans, limes, melons and a bunch of sunflowers for my wife.

Posted on October 4th, 2012 by Maptote

What’s in your Maptote?

For this installment of ‘What’s in your Maptote?’ we decided to feature our friend Andrea Chu! Andrea is a (formerly) skateboarding, chocolate-fudge-making, San Francisco native that we have the fortune of sharing our Brooklyn studio with!

She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband, Gregg, and their son, Nico. Read on to learn more about Andrea and what she has been carrying in her Maptotes (yes, she has more than one)!

Q: Where do you live and what do you love most about where you live?
A: I live in Park Slope, Brooklyn. What I love most about my neighborhood are the trees (see below)!

Q: What do you do for a living and what do you find most interesting or exciting about what you do?
A: I’m a photographer. I love to be in new places and each shoot is like an adventure which I love!

Q: What Maptote do you carry and why?
A: I carry a few Maptotes: the Paris denim tote and the little zip pouches are perfect for my small, random photo gear. My son, Nico, loves the Brooklyn tee and looks for Coney Island and the airplane on the shirt.

Take some time to explore Andrea’s website, www.chucandy.com. Her portraits are amazing and her photos of children are so sweet!

You can also check out Andrea’s blog where you will learn more about some of her recent shoots-including one for Paper magazine featuring Kimbra right after she appeared on Saturday Night Live!

Below is a picture of Andrea’s husband, Gregg, with their son, Nico, in the Adirondacks – one of their favorite places to go to escape the city!

Posted on July 12th, 2012 by Maptote