Sunday, August 12, 2012

The Yearly Hunt

Being GF, as you all know, means school lunches are WAY off-limits. This means that I am bringing a lunch from home, every day, 180 days a year. Thank goodness for my mother who packs them for me so I can sleep a little later.

Packing lunch means bringing a lunch box, and this is where it gets tricky for me. As a high-schooler, I know that right from the get -go most I am not going to like most lunchboxes. (Dora and Thomas the Tank Engine and Tinkerbell and Unicorns just aren't quite my style). But beyond looks, the box has to meet certain criteria I have set. I prefer them to be soft-sided, so they fit in my already-stuffed book bag better, and they should be taller than they are wide. This helps keep the food intact, as it fits more easily with my books and binders. Obviously, they need to be able to keep food cold, and a washable, or, at least, wipe-able liner is key to cleaning those minor spills.

I have found that my fairly specific needs, as well as the fact that I am admittedly picky when it comes to looks, make it incredibly difficult to find a lunch box I love. I end up hunting online for days, and often settling for one that I just don't really like. This stinks.

Last year, I found what I thought was the ultimate lunchbox. The right size, shape, style, softness. It was actually a "small cooler bag", but I loved it. This one:

Unfortunately, at around halfway through the year I the lining (which is like aluminum foil, but a fabric), began to fall out. It ripped and tore and just wasn't keeping my food cold. Had the bag inexpensive, we may have just gotten another one. But it was over 40 dollars with shipping. That type of money should get me a lunchbox to last at least two years.

What do you guys think? Have you ever found a stylish and durable lunchbox you absolutely love? Please share!


CC