Back(pack) to Basics!

It's getting cooler here in the southwest...cold even, which is crazy. This is exciting for many reasons: you don't have to use your fingertips to hesitantly grip your burning steering wheel, you don't curse like a sailor when you are inevitably out of ice cubes, and you don't ponder the efficacy of slathering your antiperspirant stick over your entire body. Perhaps even more exciting is the ability to ride your bike anywhere! Don't laugh- it might seem like a simple task to those in other, less God-forsaken, parts of the globe, but where I live it is a serious undertaking- Do you have water? Did you apply sunscreen? Do you have extra sunscreen? Do you have a phone to call someone when your tire goes flat so you don't dehydrate waiting for help? And that's just for a quick jaunt around the block!

Theatrics aside, this time of year is perfect for riding my bike to the store, the library, and to the nearby cluster of watering holes. I usually wear a lil' crossbody bag when I ride my bike, but I just got to thinking, "What if I get a bottle of wine at the store or 3 books at the library? I can't carry those in a tiny crossbody...hmmm..." and thus began the search for the perfect backpack! I haven't worn a backpack in quite some time, even in college I used a large tote bag, so I didn't know what was out there beyond the basic Jansport (you know what I am talking about!!)

After a bit of searching, here are my favorites:

1. Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Knapsack--Classic black and cute, thanks to Marc's ubiquitous logo. My friend uses the large, tote-version of this as a diaper bag and says it emerges perfectly from the washing machine, so that's a plus if you are messy like I am...like an infant ;)
2. Kooba "Colby" Turnlock Flap Convertible Backpack-- I love that this one can convert from the backpack to a crossbody bag and has the top strap to carry it as a satchel...like a modern, chic Indiana Jones bag.
3. Tylie Malibu "Gypsy Samantha" Leather Convertible Drawstring Backpack-- This one looks more like a purse and less like a bulky backpack, and the leather looks sooo nice.
4. Ecote Faux Fur Backpack-- This isn't a backpack, it's a fashionista-pack. I do love the cute and classic style and the vintage appeal of the felt.

Are you out there biking, or is it already too cold for places with "normal" weather? And would you rock a backpack or is that best saved for the younger set?