Designer Handbags

Anyone looking for a school bag? I was doing my lazy early morning Sunday usual, laying in bed looking at expensive bags on my lap top when I ran into a perfect school bag. The Marni Washed Leather Concertina Bag is a brown washed leather bag with gold hardware. Many times I have gotten emails from people wondering what could be used as a good school bag that still was stylish, and I truly think this is a good answer. Although a school bag would probably get quite the beating (that is if you actually go to class), it would still be nice to carry a sturdy and stylish leather bag. This bag has a long fabric strap which attaches with a chunky clasp in case you would like to use it as a messenger bag. If not you could use the leather handle as a top carrier. This cute bag features buckle fastenings on the front and the body of the bag is divided into three sections for all your different goods. Lined in a beige canvas and including an internal zip pocket, there is not much more you could want or need in a school bag. The price may be a little undesirable, but if you are one of the stylish chicks yearning for that perfect stylish school bag, I would keep this bag in consideration. Available via Net-A-Porter for $1015.00.

The name of Calvin Klein’s new evening clutch suggested something futuristic, perhaps along the lines of droid, Metroid, R2-D2… you get the idea. After doing some research on rhodoid, the shimmering variegated paneling indeed revealed to be quite fancy:

Cellulose acetate is an unusual plastic as it is made from purified cellulose, with wood or cotton linters being the raw material rather than petroleum. Wood cellulose is cheaper, but cotton cellulose is superior and used in quality products such as jewellery. The vegetable oils are completely removed during cellulose purification. The solid cellulose reacts with chemicals derived from acetic acid after which it becomes a viscous and clear slurry. The final material is dissolved in acetone and cast, usually into solid colour, transparent or translucent sheets. Vegetable and mineral pigments are used to give the sheets a huge range of colours and patterns. By repeatedly cutting and laminating these sheets, many more designs can be created.

Interesting, you learn something new every day. No doubt excellent craftsmenship was applied to turn the raw materials into this bombastic clutch, which would look just superb with a long, elegant evening dress. A fine satin-finished interior and a magnetic snap closure round off the clutch and turn it into your favorite evening companion for long nights out. For a steep $825.00 via eLuxury.

Anyone remember the song, “I don’t want to grow up, I’ma Toys’ R Us kid!” That song was my personal song for quite some time. I never wanted to be ‘old’. Gasp, it happened. Without me even knowing, I went through school and life and now I’m a grown-up. Somehow I’m not surprised that I didn’t dodge growing up. But with age came a job and a new look. A new look means new clothes and bags! I love being a grown-up (only for those shallow reasons really). Kate Spade has designed a new ‘grown-up’ bag that I have fallen in love with. The Kate Spade Glazed Calfskin Tote is a rich chocolate brown glazed calfskin tote with ring top handles. The bag is also has white topstitching, a stamped logo, and golden keepers. I don’t think I would carry this bag everyday (sometimes there are too many things that need to be carried thus I need the use of shoulder straps), but this would sure make an impression in the board room. Think of the scenes in the movies where the boss lady goes into the board room for an urgent meeting, throws her briefcase down on the table, lets out a loud sigh, places both hands on the table, looks at the room and says, “So where do we stand?”. My story may be far off, but just pretend it made sense, and just picture the lady carrying this Kate Spade tote. It works, doesn’t it? If you want to make a statement in the world of ‘grown-ups’ you can buy this bag for $455 through Neiman Marcus.

While we were down in Munich picking up my new beloved Chloe Paddington (

), we could not help but venture down their high end boutique street to see what else was going on out there. Most of the stores did not impress me, such as Tod’s which barely had 3 women’s handbags or Gucci which had maybe 1/16 of what the Paris store had. But then again, Vlad and I have been a bit spoiled traveling the world and seeing the top fashion cities, so we needed to keep it all in perspective. When we saw the Bottega Veneta store, I was pleasantly surprised by the larger selection in the quite small store. The sales associate was very helpful and showed us all of the bags in great detail letting me try them on and see which I liked the best (not to mention the fact that she also spoke English so, I, for once, I did not need Vlad to be my translator). The bags are all made of the supplest leather, which was divinely soft at the touch. I love their bags, always have. But when I saw two of their newest bags (only a week old in the stores), that I had seen at their Fall/Winter 2005 runway show, I fell in love.

The Bottega Veneta Nero Ruched Jardin Clutch & Top Handle Bag are both gorgeous bags. The SA told us how the leather for these bags was made of one piece, so there is no stitching involved. The bottom of the bag just merged into the top that was divinely ruffled. The handles were a bit stiff, but that is to be expected with those bags, and over time they will soften up with use. There was another color available, which is also brand new, it was purple color called Vaticano. It was beautiful, but the kind of beautiful only if you could spend that much money on a not so versatile bag. So the black, to me, was practical and could be used for many occasions. Of course these bags do not come cheap. The Bottega Veneta Nero Ruched Jardin Clutch is $1,330 and the Bottega Veneta Nero Ruched Top Handle Bag is $1,770. If Vlad did not pull my arm (nearly out of socket), I very well may have bought the top handle bag. Good thing I didn’t since 5 minutes before I bought my new Paddy! Both of these bags are available via Bottega Veneta.

I remember being in charge of the class pet over the summer between 1st and 2nd grade, it was “Max” the hamster. I was so proud I was chosen to take care of Max. Oddly enough, Max was really a Maxette, who had babies. My mom was a little perturbed. I, of course, was the happiest camper out there! But when my mom began to make me clean the cage and feed them and be the ‘actual’ caregiver of the litter, I got sick of Max. Responsibility was not what I was looking for. Max and his family made it through the summer alive, and although he was the cutest little bugger out there, I was done being his makeshift Mommie.

I’m sure many of you think hamsters are cute. But would you carry a bag that looks just like one? I personally am a little confused by this Swarovski Embroidery and Strass Handbag because to me it looks so much like my hamster Max. This bag is made of 100% light fawn colored fox fur (unlike Max). The bag is made by the oh-so-famous Swarovski crystal company, so the bag definitely shows off some of their beautiful crystals. The bag radiates its Topaz and Dorado crystal embroidered flap, which also features crocodile skin, python and lambskin patchwork. The bag may be made for elegant and extraordinary evening wear, but the resemblance to Max is far too great for me to ever carry it. A bag like this does not come cheap, it’s being sold for 2780.00 Гў‚¬ via Luisaviaroma.

I’ve always been a friend of BYO. I’ve built my own computer from the very first PC I ever owned, I custom built my own mountain bikes… I live by “why buy it pre-made when it’s much more fun to do it yourself”. Along those same lines, isn’t it much more fun to build your own bag, one where you are much less likely to run into someone else on the street wearing the same bag as you are?

I like the idea behind B(uild)Y(our)O(wn)B(ag). I love Timbuk2’s intuitive and easy online interface that helps you build your very own messenger bag creation, for which the company is famous and renowned for. Sizes range from SM ($70) to XL ($100), a multitude of upgrades and a plethora of colors are available, for both inside and outside, as well as two different materials (ballistic nylon or cordura). I’ll be ordering one next week, as I’ve grown old of carrying my Mac laptop in the backpack of mine - and since I do a lot of biking, this will come in very handy. Not to mention, it’ll perfectly match my ‘04 Cannondale Jekyll fully… gotta bike in style, afterall.

[Timbuk2 Messenger Bag Builder]

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After my first year of Girl Scouts (yes, I was a Girl Scout- Troop 76), we got to take an end of the year trip to go horse back riding. I was ecstatic. But a few little problems arose. First, my horse was by far the biggest horse out there since I was very tall. Secondly, my over-powering horse decided to get spooked and scared all the other horses- which in turn bucked some of the girls off of their horses. And thirdly, I was allergic to that sucker. But nevertheless, I loved the experience. I wanted my own horsey, like most little girls, and I would not give up on bugging my dad about getting one. I never did get that horse. I’m still a little bitter to this day. But since I never got that pony, I will allow my father to make it up to me by buying me this Gucci Large Boston Bag.

This fall bag by Gucci is absolutely gorgeous. The bag is beige horsebit velvet with violet/mandarin/violet signature web and buckle detail. The horsebit detail in the velvet really makes the beauty of the bag’s design stand out and grab attention. The dimensions are 11″H x 16″W x 5 1/2″D. Being a Gucci bag, the price is of course a bit high. This bag runs for $1,990.00 through Neiman Marcus (pre-order).

If any of you remember we featured Jal Purses a while back. The lovely Judith Lieber has now launched her site and I can’t help but re-feature her and show all of you reader’s just what a novelty her bags are. Her bags are one of a kind, so if you see one you like, you better buy it right away because if someone else beats you to it- you are out of luck. If any of you remember the movie The Sweetest Thing, the always hot Christina Applegate was carrying one of Judith Lieber’s bags in the club scene.

We featured an array of her bags before that you all should check out, but I also wanted to show you all a few new ones. Keep in mind that these bags are the only one like it you will ever see. Pay attention to the intricate detail Judith implements when crafting each bag and I am sure you will all realize why I am so drawn to these bags

First, I love this Jal Purses Sand Dunes Bag. The bag is made of copper wire lattice, copper-colored ribbon with metallic flecks, formed copper handles, sandstone beads, copper colored satin lining. The color is a silky chocolate and the sandstone beads add such an astonishing finishing touch. This bag would be perfect for a fancy night out or even add a beautiful touch to a casual-chic outfit. The dimensions are width: 5.5 ” & length: 6.5″. This bag costs $250 on JalPurses.

One of my other favorites happens to be the Jal Purses Lace Hankie. This bag caught my attention quickly. Because it is so extraordinarily different that anything you will see out there, how could you not want to carry this posh little clutch out with you? This beauty is made of fine silver wire, Swarovski Crystals, sterling silver chain handles, and grey organza interior and exterior lining. I just love how you can see the smaller inside compartment, from the lace silver wire outside. I wish I were skilled enough to create something like this. This bag’s size is W 7.5 ” and L 6.5″, which means it could fit the small accessories you would need to take out with you. This one is a bit more than the first, but well worth the price. Buy it for $350 also via JalPurses.

Last but not least, how could I ever leave out the Jal Purses Internet Bag? The name first drew me in, because of course, I am on the internet quite a bit. Yes, not the best reason, I know, but the bag will show you why I loved it. You know when you just want to own a fun bag? The kind of bag that shows everyone else that you are ok being fun and flirty, and not always needing to look like the most proper-sophisticated woman with a black suit and black bag? This bag is asking for fun. The bag is made of copper wire, moonstones, selected beads, and has blue/pink iridescent lining. Kind of quirky but also super exciting, you could use this bag to go out for the night (just like Christina Applegate did- but different fun bag) and show the world that you are the life of the party. The bag measures 6.25″x5.5″ and is also, of course, available through JalPurses for $300.

If you are interested hop on over to her site, Jal Purses, and browse all of her bags in her online purse gallery.

Think about whenever (if ever) you have been to an art gala, where you see this “art” that looks like a huge mumbled jumbled mess of different colors of paint all over a white canvas. I fully understand that it is indeed art, but I personally have never understood it. I just can’t read into it properly. For example, I went to the opening of a famous Russian artists gallery (ummm I forget the name, that is how much I did not understand it all) with Mr. Vlad last Christmas, and as we walked through looking at the art I tried desperately to understand and read into it. I wanted so badly to be a critical thinker. I saw other people stare at the paintings for long amounts of time, even up to 30 minutes at one painting. I, on the other hand, could have walked through the entire gallery in merely 15 minutes and that would have still been 10 minutes too long. I don’t want any of you to think I am bashing the world of art and artists, but I am saying that I donГў€™t really get it all the time. Like at the opening we went to, there was a huge white canvas (about 20ft x 15ft) and at the very most bottom right hand corner there was a band aid box taped on the canvas. Under materials, the artists listed: canvas, tape, band-aid box. I saw a man and woman literally stare at it for at least 10 minutes. I walked by it and tried to think Shakespearian-like and decided that the artist hurt his right little toe and it needed to be fixed. My guess is, I was way off, but still, I surely did not understand what in the world was going on.

So the point of my entire ramble about my lack of understanding in the world of extreme art, is that I found a bag (and a clothing combination) that reminds me of just that. This Nanette Lepore Prussian Purse is just all wrong. Maybe from the start I could not clearly focus on the bag because the model they showed it with was wearing an outfit that clashed so badly I couldn’t focus properly. Or maybe, I just don’t like the bag. The bag is a messenger style bag made of velvet with multicolored embroidery, long velvet shoulder strap with topstitching, an inset zipper closure, and textile lining with a patch pocket. This mumbo-jumbo mess can be yours for $140 through eLuxury.

*Actually the bag isn’t half awful when you look at it without that model sporting it*