Review: BUILT NY Lunch Totes {and Giveaway Winner!}

Here’s the thing about lunch boxes.  And bags.  And totes.

We.go.through.a.lot.of.them.

That’s a problem in and of itself.

The other problem?

Is that after the flurry of back-to-school madness, they’re nearly impossible to find.

I learned my lesson about that a few years ago (see also, lessons on slippers, snow boots, and rain boots search-and-discovery), and I now buy two at a time to save mid-year grief.

So when the lunch box gives out mid-way through the school year, I’m covered.

But then, something else also happened.

I discovered BUILT NY.

BUILT as in, built to last.

I have a 9-year-old son.

And a four-year-old daughter.

Boys and lunch boxes?

Forget about it.

They (the lunch boxes, natch) come home having been tromped on.

Kicked around the bus floor.

Passed around the lunch table.

Forgotten in the back of my car.

Stuffed into a desk.

Abused.

Forgotten.

But the BUILT NY ones?

Take a beating and keep on ticking.

Yes, they cost a little more.

But if it means they will last all year through (and perhaps even into the next year), money well spent.

I love that they stand up straight with a bottom that flattens.

I love the little toggle.

Girly designs. Without being too girly.

For both young and old.

And reasonably boyish designs too.

(I do happen to think they could use a little more in the gender-neutral category since most of their lunch totes are decorated largely with girls in mind)

A strong zipper.  Reinforced by beautiful stitching.

And since I don’t sew. at all. ever.  That’s saying a lot.

My favorite part?  That it is machine-washable.

Thank you, forever and ever, amen.

And do I have to even mention the whole reusable aspect?  I mean, you’re NOT using brown paper bags, right?  And if you are, it’s time to say good-bye to the 70s, save a bit of money, and buy something reusable.

If your household (and lunch box woes) is similar to ours, maybe give the BUILT NY line a look-see the next time you’re in the market for one?  And if you don’t need a lunch tote, they also have everything from laptop and kindle cases to messenger bags and wine totes.  Go get ’em.  (And read their back story while you’re at it – I always love to hear how a successful company gets their start)

My personal favorite?  Their new city grid design (shown here and pictured in this post).  Bold graphics on the outside, and fun pop of color on the inside.

I also love their new reusable sandwich bags and as a household that uses next to no disposable products, I can’t wait to get my hands on them.

And now to the fun stuff … the giveaway winner. BETSY, I have a brand spankin’ new BUILT NY tote to send your way (the lush floral one shown here).  Drop me a line at cate AT sweetnicks DOT com, and I’ll hook you right up.

*The folks at BUILT NY kindly sent me a lunch tote, and provided one for our giveaway winner.  This is not a sponsored post, and I was not obligated to review the items, good, bad, or indifferent.