A big, spacious tote bag is becoming more and more an essential for us women since we carry so much stuff around these days! Tiny clutches and pretty little handbags can never contain our daily essentials: from our well-equipped kikay kit to our cell phones, iPod, wallet, planner, laptop, maybe even emergency flip-flops when we’re wearing heels, among other things.

Some opt to strut around carrying signature leather bags, but would we really want to burden our LV or Gucci bags with that much weight? And these bags are already quite heavy, sans the contents.

What we need for daily use are large stylish totes that can fit and easily organize all our stuff in and won’t add to the weight we carry. We’ve found that tote-loving Joni Ong and her cousins brought well-loved Japanese tote bag brand, Rootote, to the Philippines! Find out after the jump what’s so special about Rootote, which already has a cult following in Australia, China, Singapore, and Malaysia, and see some of their yummy designs.

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Charlie Green Live! at TriNoma Activity Center today at 4PM.

Ayala Malls Photo Exhibit. Up to January 4, tomorrow, at the Alabang Town Center Activity Center.

Ayala Malls Welcome 2009 Sale. Twice as much deals in store, mall-wide, in Glorietta, Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center, Market! Market!, and TriNoma up to January 18, 2009.

Ayala Malls Cinemas New Year Blowout. Buy 4 tickets of any movie in a single purchase within the promo duration (January 1 to 31, 2009) at Glorietta 4 and Greenbelt 1 and 3 cinemas, and get a chance to win a new watch, free makeover, or a free trip to Busuangga, Palawan for four!

Sto. Niño Exhibit at Ayala Center Cebu Level 2 from January 8 to 19.

SM Malls Grand Year-End Sale. Up to 50% off on great buys up to January 4, 2009.

Mango Sale. Up to 50% off on selected items.

Zara End of Season Sale. From January 2 to February 1, 2009. Zara branches are located in Rockwell, Glorietta, Greenbelt 5, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, TriNoma, and SM Mall of Asia.

For other year-end sales, see this post.

Here it is: a list of some of the metro’s hottest year-end sales that you should take advantage of! Happy shopping!

Ayala Malls Welcome 2009 Sale. Mallwide from January 2 to 18, 2009.

Glorietta: The Big Handover Sale (Glorietta 1 to Glorietta 5). Discounts and prizes up to December 31, 2008.

Araneta Center / Gateway Grand Clearance Sale. Up to 70% off on items up to January 18, 2009.

The Body Shop Year End Sale. Up to 50% off on selected items up to January 8, 2009.

Cinderella Year End Sale. Up to 60% off on items from Esprit, U2, British India, Clarks, NafNaf, Oshkosh B Gosh, Pierre Cardin, Seventeen, C Women, and Cinderella Kids up to February 1, 2009.

Celebrity Bazaar at Festival Supermall. Multi Exhibit Network, Second Level Mini Trade Hall up to December 31, 2008.