Modern Mary for Modern Lunches

Lunch is one of those awkward meals, not the get you ready for the day needed breakfast or the dinner that you sit down and unwind with at the end of your day. It's in the middle and for that reason can be an after thought (As a middle child I feel as though I can relate).

Too often we forget and end up running and picking up a less than healthy quick meal, which those who do so on average spend $1500 a year on lunch, or we quickly scrape together last night's leftovers or a mix of snacks and throw them in a plastic bag. Both of these options sound less than ideal and not only can hurt your wallet but can be the silent killer to your nutrition goals.

Lunch bags have come a long way in the last few years in effort to make them more appealing for people to bring their own lunch along with them, but they have never quite met my aesthetic standard. I don't want a lunch bag that looks like a purse, I have a purse already thank you, and I don't need one to hijack my outfit, judge me all you like, and something will always leak out of that plastic bag! I want a lunch bag that is first and foremost a lunch bag that keeps my food at the perfect temperature and looks good doing.

Teresa Santarsia, founder of Modern Mary, must have been feeling my woes and those of I expect many others as she has come up with her own line of Luxe Food Clutches, translation:Lunch bags for the fashion and food conscious, "I noticed a gap in the market for fine quality lunch bags. There was a profound need for an adult luxury lunch bag that was chic but also gender neutral." I couldn't agree more with Teresa, yes I understand that I could buy one of the many offerings at the local box store but I don't like them and as someone who appreciates aethestics and "curating a life filled with champagne moments," I know that if I like it, I'll use it and that's all that matters.

As I said earlier, I never really could appreciate the lunch bags that looked like purses, again they are a vast improvement on what was, but they are something trying to disguise itself from what it is and it's not doing it well. If it's a lunchbag, be a lunchbag but be a damn good looking one and that is exactly what these are.

"My Grandmother's impeccable style inspired me to appreciate timeless and classic pieces. Her inspiration lead me to design these multi-functional pieces that feel on trend and playful, yet are timeless and can withstand many years of use. The collection is a balance between luxury and practicality - and offer an on-the-go adult a trendy resource for transporting basic yet important goods."

The bags are 100% made in Canada and use soft genuine leather for their sharp, minimalist design, that features a secure zip top closure, removable utensil pouches and roomy, water resistant, insulated interiors made to hold your daily doses of food and beverage. They come in two sizes, Piccolo (small) and Grande (large) and retail between $155-$188 on Modern-Mary.com.

What I love most about these lunch clutches is how well thought out they are. They serve their practicality purpose by being the ideal size for your food containers, drinks and untensils, as well as being easy to clean when needed but they also are practical for your day. Their clutch shape is a refreshing alternative to the bulky, impractical shapes of other lunch bags; with their ideal shape they can slip into a purse, a briefcase or a tote right beside your other belongings and without fear of a leak. And when it's time for lunch you can easily take it out looking impeccably refined and without looking out of place.

The end of Summer, beginning of September can be like a second New Year, I blame my parents whom work in education for this mentality, and it's a time to get back on track with healthier habits and tweak some of those lazy Summer time behaviours we all pick up. Similar to what fun work out gear has done to get you to the gym, or a beautiful waterbottle has you actually consuming water, I believe that these Luxe Lunch Clutches will have you planning your meals, making healthier decisions and saving on money that can go towards the little luxuries such as this clutch or all the fast approaching Fall Fashion. Modern Mary has found the solution for the modern woman and her modern lunch.

#LifestyleFashion