Fashion Blog

Deborah Lewis’s Cayman Bag is stylish and more functional than the average handbag because it has a discrete umbrella pocket on the side, which makes it the ideal spring bag if you live somewhere with unpredictable spring weather. At least, it’s discrete until an umbrella is tucked inside it. The bag is made of leather and is accented with nickel hardware. There interior is nylon and has multiple pockets for phone, keys and wallet. There are three colors to choose from: kelly green, midnight …

It’s not very often that you see a designer bag of any kind that features a small, furry animal on the front unless the bag is made of fur, but this Anya Hindmarch mini change purse does. It proudly showcases a perky little squirrel on a background of red and pink satin. The silver clasp contrasts nicely with the rest of the bag and even brings out the highlights in the squirrel’s fur. Do you think she’s a fan of Cute Overload? Price: $75.

The Jaguar Head Open Toe Pump by Laurence Dacade has incorporated varying looks to create a unique pair shoes. You have the open toe which makes it feel more dainty and feminine and then you have the brass and tin studs and the double lion’s head that gives it a harder/rock star edge – great for a night out. By covering up the studs with pants, you could easily have a conservative look and wear them to work. The double lion’s …

Betsey Johnson is a wild and crazy designer - there is no other way to put it. She constantly pushes the design envelope and appears to create products that are a reflection of fun, excitement and boldness. With that, will come hits and certainly some misses. Needless to say, I am unsure which category Ms. Johnson’s Vixen Hobo falls into. Made of leather with python embossed trimming, there is a lot going on with this bag. It features a zip around bottom, front zip pocket with tassel pull, a …

Soy candles seem to be getting more and more popular, but jummyjane’s Embers Candles offer s unique feature that most other candles do not. They are made with cosmetic-grade wax that has a low melting point and can be poured off of the candle and used as a massage oil. The all natural paraffin-free wax is enhanced with “natural plant extracts to nourish the skin” and is available in three different scents: habanero and grapefruit, ginger and date, and lychee and lapsang. Price: $48.

This plush, chocolate-colored Kate Spade bag was inspired by the city on Lake Genevain Switzerland that shares its name, Lausanne. The Lausanne Plie bag tries to capture the “chic sensibility” and “rich culture” of the quiet town by combining rich beaver fur with luxurious snakeskin leather. The bag has a drawstring closure and is topped with a thick braided leather handle with gold accents. It measures 11.8″h x 16.5″w x 6.3″d and, like all of Kate’s bags, this one also has her signature larabee …

Forget the basic black nylon, as well as the briefcase-like look of most laptop cases. Talene Reilly’s Laptop Tote is just as stylish as any designer handbag, but is practically designed, so it will securely carry a laptop anywhere you need to go. In deep plum (as well as black and white houndstooth), the leather and flannel bag has a Teflon-coated, foam padded laptop pocket that can protect a computer completely from falls up to 3 feet. There are six other pockets on the bag and it has a zip …

In spite of the name, this Bon-Bon Box has no chocolaty treats. Made by Bond No. 9, the box contains a collection of 18 scents, each of which is specific to a certain neighborhood in (or associated with) New York City. Not going overboard with the theme, the creators wisely left out some of the less savory scents, like the east river, for example. The collection includes: Eau de New York, Central Park, Park Avenue, So New York, West Broadway, Chelsea Flowers, Fashion Avenue, Nuits de Noho, …

Christmas is over as far as online retailers are concerned and the post-holiday clearances are already beginning. Browsing through the selection at eLuxury, I spotted this gorgeous Etro Leather Hobo. Basic black on the outside with a bright teal satin lining, the bag is one that you can wear with anything, from jeans to a suit. It is large, measuring 17″ x 9.25″ x 7.5″, and is accented with two teardrop-shaped links on the wide, flat shoulder strap. Price: $659 (orig. $995).

A really great design can overshadow a practical one quite easily when it comes to handbags, but it is hard to overlook practicality all the time. The Furla Virginie Grande Hobo has the advantage of having both a short, decorative chain strap and an adjustable shoulder strap, so it can easily be adjusted to suit your preferences. The bag is made of leather and comes in Cognac, Onxy or Sand (pictured), accented with gold hardware. It has a zip closure top and a small zip pocket, sized to fit …