Designer Handbags

Being a handbag addict (among other materialistic things), I am known to splurge. Ask the ‘typical’ person (if we can define that) if it is crazy to spend over $2k on a typical bag, and they will laugh in your face. Ask me and I think it is normal. I am also a jean-a-holic. Designer jeans not only fit one million times better but look so flattering if you get the right pair. And they also cost more. $200 on jeans is typical for me. But when it comes to socks, I go my my local Designer Target. Yes, Target. Socks in bulk. You can even find pretty cute ones and very comfortable ones. I found an accessory that I would never spend my money on, three pair of Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Socks for $60. Are you serious?? $20 a pair? They aren’t even short socks, they will show on part of your ankle, which is a major sock-no-no unless you are in the middle of some cold climate, like I am now. But even if you needed the socks to go up a bit, you would look a tad juvenile, with the cherries and stripes showing. Don’t get me wrong, these socks are cute, but they are merely 79% cotton, 18% polyamide, and 3% elastane. This are the highest end designer socks ever. Waste of money if you ask me, and asking me is asking a very high-price-tag-shopping-friendly-buyer. Through NAP for $60.

By no means am I a pill popper. Actually, I am fighting a nasty cold right now and refuse to take Sudafed; it makes me feel funny. Guess what I am taking? Children’s Dimetapp. Yep, I am that adult that buys the grape flavored liquid when I have a cold. I *hate* taking medication, it makes me feel funny. But if I were to take something in pill form (say Children’s Tylenol), I would feel like royalty of the ocean carrying it in the Leiber Crystal Shell Pillbox. Ornate, intricate, and really a work of art, this pillbox is meticulously designed with Austrian stones and features a push lock closure. It is tiny, so it really will only fit your pills; merely measuring 2″H X 2″L X ”W. This would be perfect if I were taking any pill for any problem like a normal person would, but chances are my bottle of Dimetapp would not fit in this pillbox

Via Saks for $425.

All of the people out there who do not love cookies; who are you??? What happened to you and your taste buds?? Cookies are probably one of the best inventions ever. I always pondered over the thoughts of the genius who decided to combine flour, sugar, eggs, and butter to make a cookie. Cookie inventor of the world, you deserve a medal of some kind. One of my favorite furniture stores, Horchow, also sports some irresistible accessories for the handbag and cookie lovers out there. Behold Handbag Cookie Jars, the perfect immersion between the kitchen and fashion world. Choose from either Zebra (9″W x 6″D x 9″T) or Leopard (8″W x 6.5″D x 10.5″T) and have a chic ceramic jar to store your treats in. Such a perfect gift for any of your fashion and cookie oriented friend (seriously, who does not fit into that category?!). Through Horchow for $24.90 each.

Thanks for pointing these out Maxter!!

I am confident that Valentine’s Day is a day made for women. Any girl can say she could care less about Valentine’s Day, but I think deep down most love it a bit. I am not saying we all need some huge big deal, but a nice dinner and a day to celebrate your love with your significant other, friends, family, is always needed. Too many times we are busy with our hectic lives to remember the great love we have right next to us. That being said, I am *totally* at a loss of what to do for Vlad. He has been planning and planning and I am stumped. Browsing online I have only found what not to get Vlad. Putting this on the internet is not helpful I realize, but who knows what kind of trick I have up my sleeve. For now I do know what would be a downright awful gift. Behold the ridiculously expensive Daniel Hanson Cashmere Robe which can be paired with a Crown Cap Muskrat Fur Hat for the chilly days. Pair these together and you have a laughable outfit to wear to your at home candle-lit dinner. Not that I wouldn’t want to indulge in a 100% cashmere robe, but the purple robe with green piping is an awful match. Even worse is the price tag: $2195 at Bergdorf Goodman. And the hat, well sure, it looks warm. But it reminds me of something I have seen Vlad wear before in his pre-meeting me days. And in those days, sometimes Mr Vlad was known to pair stripes and checks in the SAME outfit. Gag. Hat is $365 via Bergdorf Goodman. So while this is not the perfect gift, it can make you laugh late this Thursday night

Top left: Forzieri Diamond Heart 18K White Gold Necklace. Via Forzieri for $215.

Top right: 14K Tiny Heart Necklace. $85 at Future Fashionista.

Ok men, I know you are out there. You have watched your woman’s addiction, asked friends, written to Dear _____, and done a tiny bit of internet stalking, just to find an idea of a perfect gift for your woman. Many gals will say they don’t want a big deal for Valentine’s Day, but that is an outright lie; trust me. Jewelry is always an amazing gift and will brighten your loved one’s day. For affordable jewelry that will touch your woman’s heart, give her a heart necklace.

Bottom Left: Me&Ro Flowers & Beloved Pendant. Through eLuxury for $190.

Bottom Right: Forzieri Diamond and Garnet Heart Pendant 18K Gold Necklace. For $759 via Forzieri.

Dog is the man’s best friend. Why a man’s, why not a woman’s? I have been from the West coast of the US to the middle of the US now am waiting to go to the East coast of the US then the South East coast of the US. Traveling with Vlad always made me smile, but this last trip he is not on me with and a dog would be the perfect companion. Now for me, if my dog were this adorable, it would be everywhere with me and wearing this perfectly fitting sweater. How cute! The Coach Legacy Stripe Dog Sweater is a multicolor-striped cashmere coat for your little pup. Available in S, M, and L, I can see myself buying this for my little pup; even if Vlad does not like it. Via Coach for $148. I wish cashmere for people was that cheap! What are the odds of me stretching the large to fit me?? Just kidding…

Chanel jewelry does not have to be be extremely expensive in order to be enjoyed. Thanks to DJO, our resident Chanel expert, we have exclusive shots of some exciting Chanel pieces for you to accessorize your wardrobe with in ‘07. Enjoy!

Lobster Claw necklace, $372. Cupcake necklace, $1250.

On both tPB and tPF this has been quite an amazing year! With the growth of the forum has come thousands upon thousands of members, many of which have become personal friends of mine. One of the sweetest gals I have met is a member of tPF and also an amazing jewelery designer. The woman we all know as Japster, the Hermes Token Heeb, runs Future Fashionista and is also offering killer savings until December 31st. With the code: ThankYou, you will receive 35% off all items, including sale items.

Fortune cookie necklace, $248. Whistle necklace, $320.

Stocking stuffers and other small gifts are a must for the holiday season. While we all wish we could get Hermes bracelets, Louis Vuitton Cles’, and Chanel makeup in our stocking, it is not feasible for all of the gift givers out there. For the gal who loves cute accessories, pick up out one of the Banana Republic Animal Key Chains. A penguin, elephant, fish, and owl are all available and offered in a few colors to add a special touch to a key ring. Buy any of these through Banana Republic for $24. {Via}

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It has been a while since we have discussed man bags here. I feel a little silly neglecting my man bag duty, especially because that makes me biased and also means I have been neglecting the man, Vlad. Without further ado I must introduce you all to a gorgeous and understated man bag that many of you could most possibly talk your man into wearing. The Lambertson Truex Brown Leather Mail Bag pairs sleek refinement with subtle style to make a brown leather messenger bag that nearly any man can wear to work or school and feel sophisticated but still masculine. The white topsthing adds a nice detail along with the silver metal hardware (found on the turn lock closures). Providing ample storage room, this mail bag features an open pocket beneath that front flap closure, a back zip pocket, and inside zip and organizational pockets. Not overly metro or too feminine in my opinion at all. Dimensions are 11 1/2″H x 16″W x 4″D. The holidays are on their way and if you need to give your man a helping hand I would keep this bag in mind. Buy it via Bergdorf Goodman for $495.

If you really want to go all out for your man, pair this bag with a beautiful set of cufflinks. To match the bag I would opt for the Robin Rotenier Striped Topaz Cuff Links which pair sterling silver with blue topaz and match this bag (through BG for $395). Or if your man loves to be bad to the bone, I would splurge and throw in some Deakin & Francis Yellow Gold Cuff Links. These are bling bling of the badass world boasting 18-karat yellow or white gold and diamond eyes and movable jaws (via BG for $3250).

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