lilypond Desert Willow Review
In 2009, lilypond, a line of bag’s designed specifically for active women, was launched by parent company fishpond. Fishpond is a well known Colorado based manufacturer within the fly-fishing industry. After a year of success, lilypond is set to release 6 new styles next spring. Fortunately, I was able to check out lilypond’s Desert Willow, the smallest from the new cotton canvas bag collection.
The Desert Willow, pictured above, measures 10.5”Long x 4”Wide x 7” High and is a great size for every day use or travel. The bag features many options if you are into organization: there is a rear zippered compartment and a front zippered compartment that is hidden by the overlying flap that closes with a small magnetic closure. The main compartment has a zipper closure to keep your things in your bag, where they belong! This main compartment features a two pocket organizer along the front of the bag which is large enough to hold my Droid, and probably any other smart phone. There is also a floating pocket along the rear that has a key clip to ensure that your keys stay put.
lilypond states that their color choices are based on colors that occur in nature, and I couldn’t agree more. The Desert Willow is available in cactus (a toned down lime green), geranium (a punchy/vibrant red), and birch (a light tan/khaki). As an outdoor enthusiast, I was thrilled to test out the birch hue which has dusk, or dark gray accents, and a pale yellow-green lining. The three tone combo works incredibly well together and goes with just about anything I put on.
I have been stashing my summer reading matierals, a medium sized paperback within the main compartment, along with my wallet, sunglasses case, and other small purse essentials. I am not a big purse person, so the Dessert Willow’s size is just what I need to fit key items without getting completely weighed down. The strap can easily be adjusted to change the way you carry the bag: across the chest or over the shoulder. When not in use, the Desert Willow flattens out easily and can be placed in a suitcase or carry on for easy traveling. When heading cross country, I used the Desert Willow as my personal bag and hauled my backpack up into the overhead compartment:)
For those that like to carry more, or have to carry more because they have goodies to carry for their children, lilypond makes some other great options. I personally love the looks of the Solstice Sling which incorporates many of the same style features of the Desert Willow, but is larger and can accommodate a laptop and features a reinforced leather bottom to increase the longevity of the bag.
Be on the lookout for the new collection by lilypond come next spring and check out their current line at lilypondusa.com
