Designer Handbags

… if I were with my Valentine

The middle of Ohio is not known for its snow. 2″ and the people don’t know what to do, how to drive, how to plow. But 8″ plus layers of ice means Columbus is closed down. Go figure my flight back was today. So here I am in beautiful south Florida, and there my Valentine is, in closed down Columbus. Yet another Valentine’s Day alone. For those of you who deem this day “Singles Awareness Day”, or are also wanting to throw pebbles and call names at the weather, or are apart from your loved one, or have not met your loved one, hang in there- I am with you. Instead of actually wearing my perfect outfit, I might as well plan what my perfect outfit would be if I *were* with my Valentine today.

First I’d opt for a sexy black dress. Every girl needs a sexy black dress and on what better day than Valentine’s Day to really impress the guy you are with. A perfectly elegant and sassy number is the Issa Satin V-Neck Dress. This sleeveless knee length dress is made with black satin, sports a V neck to show a little somethin’ somethin’, and a subtle yet sexy keyhole opening on the back. This would perfectly show off my legs, fit in all the right places, and hopefully leave the Mr very pleased too (not that I try to keep him happy ever anyhow ) Via Net-A-Porter for $400.

And for a clutch, the very girly side of me really likes bow detailing hence I am loving the Chloe Gold Bow Clutch. Fairly simple and perfectly detailed the clutch is made with black crinkled leather and has a large gold bow on the front. One of my favorite details is the hand slot where you can slide your hand to carry your bag. There is also the option of a leather strap. Love it. Through Net-A-Porter for $900.

The shoe department, I am just not sure. Gold, black, sandals, closed? Help me pick the perfect shoes for my *if I were with my Valentine* outfit! Behind door number 1, Christian Louboutin Moon Bow Pumps ($650). Door number 2 holds the Christian Louboutin Tenue Leather Sandals ($815). Shoes number 3 are the Miu Miu Leather T-Bar Shoes ($370). Lastly, number 4 are the sassy Miu Miu Strappy Suede Sandals ($395).

Vote on the forum for shoe 1, 2, 3, or 4 for this outfit, or say other and suggest something good!

And if you are like me, spending your Valentine’s Day alone for whatever reason, go ahead and post the outfit you would wear *if you had a Valentine*!

Who needs more clutter in their life? My life is so hectic I can barely see straight and get my socks on my feet and my fingers in my gloves. Anything accessory that is simple enough to describe in one line and leaves a lasting impression from looks alone has done its job in my opinion. If you crave exotic handbags, Nancy Gonzalez does a fine job of exotic skins (especially crocodile) and makes a bag that is not too done up that you can’t un-do it. Take your pick of color, from ravishing and sultry red, to basic and elegant black, to playful gray (looks bluish to me), in the Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile Clutch which features a flap top. Simple, sweet, and oh so sexy. That red would look so sexy with a nice pair of heels and exquisite jewelry. I am in love. Buy any, or all 3, through Bergdorf Goodman for $1150.

Add a tiny bit of gold glitter trim and chunky metallic stitching to a simple yet stunning satin clutch, and you have the drop dead gorgeous VBH Satin Poche. The black satin rectangular body is well known and associated with VBH clutches, and this rendition is one of my favorites by far. For the gal who wants to showcase her funky personality yet still needs nothing overly ornate, this clutch is perfect and also features a removable inside suede pouch. Dazzle your wardrobe via Net-A-Porter $1150.

I have mentioned from time to time that I was a swimmer growing up, all the way to and through college actually. People think when I say this I mean I splashed in my backyard pool, quite the contrary. At 5 am I was in the water, at 3 pm I was running and lifting weights, at 5 pm I was back in the water, and the next day I did it all over again. For years this was my routine, since the age of 4. A perk of being brought up in South Florida was the ocean; a total negative for anyone near in Florida afraid of marine life is also the ocean. Guess whose swim coach had them swim in the ocean on Saturdays? I cried. The thought of a squishy but totally awful jellyfish, a hiding stingray, and a hungry shark terrified me. Tears welled up in my goggles every Saturday. I’d rather see a stingray as an accessory, just like this stunning Jalda Stingray Bean Clutch. A perfect texture of exotic stingray skin in deep navy looks extravagant and does bring back any sort of marine life fears. The oversized brass clasp is not overpowering, rather subtly adds a touch of sophistication and class that is a hard combination to hit. On the inside there is faille lining and this piece of hand candy (that does not have the capacity to fling its stinger up in your leg) measures 5Вѕ”HX 9ВЅ”LX 1″W. Classy and safe through Saks for $415. Take that you scary under-the-sand-camouflage-hiding stingray!!

Sometimes you have to wonder. What in the name of the good Lord was Eve thinking? First of all, she took her cues from a serpent. They slither and hiss and are NOT to be trusted! But seriously, was one little piece of fruit from an entire garden of lush melons and berries really worth risking the ire of God? And how about Snow White? She has an evil Queen on her ass and she takes free fruit from a strange old hag? Come on, she lived in the middle of nowhere with those dwarves. She should’ve known to be suspicious of door-to-door peddlers when there were no other doors around. But perhaps I’m too harsh. Perhaps that forbidden fruit and that poison-dipped morsel shone with the apple-green exuberance of this Goldenbleu Tiffany Patent Clutch. What mortal woman could resist this luscious green sheen? The leather looks like it might have been burnished by the elbow of an angel, so soft and glossy is its lightly pleated surface. Maybe those fatal fruits were as alluringly curved and plump as this darling clutch with its billowly overstuffed shape. I must be a fool myself, because though in my head I know that this clutch is best suited for glorious days in the sun and saucy nights on the town, my first instinct is to take a big wet bite out of that juicy green. Grab this beauty and resist the urge. $455 at Neiman Marcus.

By nerdphanie, the Shopping Nerd!

If there were an award for Queen of Handbag Justification, it would most likely go to me (ok, lies - I am sure some of you would totally out do me, especially some of the ladies of tPF ). Either way finding a bag that is reversible or comes with a small pouch or folds over completely 100% helps me justify a handbag. Call it part of the litigator in me from a very long line of lawyers and judges in my family.

For this reason, the Jimmy Choo Metallic Foldover Clutch is justifiable in my mind not only because it has a perfect champagne Italian leather colo, but also because it can be folder over to take the shape of a true clutch, or opened up to store something a little larger. Standing out is the perfectly bold gold tone hardware, outside zip pocket, and practially non-essential removable wrist strap. The price is exactly why I justify this bag to be two separate entities. A clutch for $825 is pricey, but for $413 for *each* version, is more feasible. Via Saks for $825.

After the Holidays we all may be carrying around a scanty bank account and some extra Fruit Cake pounds

Either way it is time to get back on track. I would never tell you all to not buy a handbag, because let’s face it, that would be plain silly; but I will suggest some more affordable and just as sexy handbags. A stunning rendition of an evening clutch is the Lauren Merkin Charlotte Embossed Suede Clutch. Available in metallic platinum or black, this lizard embossed suede clutch shows a touch of refinement along with a touch of fun along with a very do-able price tag. A slightly gathered body and magnetic snap closure open up to pink striped lining. I would love this clutch (measuring 6″H x 11 1/2″W) for a night on the town and would not worry *as much* if I were to spill on it or drop it. This clutch goes to show that chic can be cheap via Bergdorf Goodman for $220.

Odysseus said to Penelope, “I gotta go fight this war, bitch, be back in ten or twenty years.” To which she replied, “I will remain beautiful and faithful. My sleek design and gorgeous patent leather body will last for decades. Forget me not!” A brutal war, a cyclops, and a couple of divine lays later, Odysseus returned and took his favorite clutch out to the local gay bar.Okay, that isn’t how it went. But if Odysseus were a self-respecting transvestite rather than an epic war hero, it could’ve happened. Meet my favorite Kooba EVER, the Kooba Penelope Clutch. I saw her today at Nordstrom and couldn’t help fondling her and constructing fabulous outfits in my head with Penelope as the centerpiece. The patent leather is delightfully pillowish and supple. I literally stood in the bag department squishing and squeezing the poor thing. I don’t usually like Kooba bags, to be honest. Something about the whole cozy Western thing doesn’t appeal to me at all. Luckily, the patent leather takes the Penelope clutch out of this realm of the oaky comfy bag into a world of sleek shiny hotness. The hardware is understated, with nothing to speak of but a simple turnlock and funky chain strap which you can remove should it rub you the wrong way. The quilted banding at the center is just enough detail to add interest without adding clutter. This clutch will last you until patent goes out again, but it will be back, and there is nothing about Penelope that says 2006. Get her in black (shown, raved on), white (beautiful), or caramel (pass on it) patent for $295 at shopbop.

By nerdphanie, The Shopping Nerd.

I have an addiction, a clutch addiction. If I could, I would buy a clutch for nearly every outfit I own- they are the perfect accessory that makes an outfit (really, all handbags are). On the hunt for a black clutch, I came across one that says ‘I’m trendy chic with rockin’ style’. The Nuti Shell Clutch features a removable shoulder strap to add versatility and ease of use to this already hot black ostrich handbag. There is tonal ruthium ring detail which is the Nuti signature embellishment. On the inside you will find the softest orange suede lining which screams out ‘Don’t mess with me, I am chic, sexy, and bold’. I love love love it. For everyday wear or to make an evening glamorous, buy this baby (10″ w X 5 1/2 L x 2″ deep) via LuxCouture for $1225.

Cleanliness is next to godliness. I grew up in an impeccably clean house, with a mother who does not believe in Swiffer but in the old bucket and rag to wash the floor. My style taste is reflected many times in less is more which to me merely reflects back to my upbring around cleanliness. Sleek, refined, and clean enough to eat off of is the Jimmy Choo Pal Tube Clutch. Against a white background, this white patent leather clutch can be lost if it were not for the gold designer clasp on the top and sides. Dimensions are width 9 inches x height 3.5 inches x dept of 2.5 inches, perfect for a petite hand. Via Net-A-Porter for $980.

But is this kind of clean your kind of clean? Yay or Nay?