I recently came across Vaalbara Designs and immediately fell in love with the bohemian designs. Truth be told they are my dream bags. I love the mixture of soft, buttery distressed leather and bright colorful textiles, but there is so much more to these bags.

Where to begin??

One of my favorite things is that a percentage of her sales go to the Surfrider Foundation. Immediately this sparked my interest because I have volunteered and worked for Surfrider for many years in the past. It is a fantastic organization with a dedication to protecting our oceans.

Who is this eco-conscious designer? Her name is Emily Prescott. Emily embraces the Venice beach, surf and skate culture and her love for travel and Mother Nature in each design. The lining in her bags are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and, with most bags, there is an arrowhead on the zipper for a lucky charm.

Emily has hand-picked the textiles from her travels around the globe, bringing together cultures in a stylish design. When I met her this Saturday in Santa Monica at Unique LA, I found it a bit hard to select which bag I would purchase. This Thailand textile designed was a very close second.

The designs come in various sizes of purses, pouches, clutches and bags and either one would become a classic piece for your wardrobe or a unique bridesmaid gift.

You can purchase them here or here