For the last ten years, my Mother has been on a Grail Quest for a travel bag to carry with her when she travels with the local Speech and Debate team.  Thus, every time that I have entered a department store or a mall, my Mother has rifled through the purses searching for a “Magic Bag.” 

Her search for the perfect bag used to be adorable.  But given her laundry list of requirements, and her unwillingness to bend on even a one of them, her epic journey has grown more than a bit bothersome.  In fact, all she has to do is say the phrase “Magic Bag” and my eyes roll so hard that it gives me a migraine headache.

To end this torturous journey, I have spent the past year on a daily search for my Mother’s white whale.  And maybe, just maybe, I have found it.

Big Buddha Empire Bag (Piperlime, $95)

Behold a Magic Bag! (Insert eyeroll. Geez, that hurt.)

My Mother loves pockets, and this bag has more pockets than I have ever seen.  It has two outer compartments, a zippered inner pocket, a zippered coin pocket, an outer zippered pocket and a cell phone pocket.  And it has turn lock clasp so that thieving high school students can’t remove things from the bag, hoorah!

It’s synthetic, but Big Buddha’s are durable.  It has a double strap, so it’s sturdy.  And it has stylish gold-tone hardware and pleated detail!

Oh no, it has gold-tone hardware.  That’s a disqualifying offense.  Mrs. B only likes silver.  Dammit! 

Once again her pickiness has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.  Won’t somebody help me end the torture?  Surely, someone out there must have a suggestion.