Designer Handbags

Kate Winslet was seen with a hip bag resting on her hip, a simple Prada Nylon Bag. Many handbag enthusiasts are not totally enthused by Prada Nylon Bags, yet Kate shows us all that they are still hip and durable. These bags may be completely simple, but they are totally durable and easy to clean. While I can say that the bag is simple and easy to throw on, Kate’s clothing choice is a bit shoddy. Oh well, not like I am always looking chic; but she could have forced a smile on that beautiful face eh?! What are your thoughts?

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

First and foremost I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend! I sure did. My family all flew down to Ft. Lauderdale to see our mom and spend time with my graduating brothers. And by graduating I mean one from High School and the other from grade school- yep, they are the babies!

After an amazing mini-vacation, it is back to reality. All of you are aware of my deep love of clutches. The Agnes & Hoss Cape Seaweed Clutch has every exquisite piece that combines to make an irresistible clutch. The clutch is trimmed with Italian leather, closes with a shiny polished silver turnlock, shows off supple suede lining, and measures 13 x 4.75 x 1.75. The outside of the clutch must be the cape seaweed pattern with the floral like appeal on posh silk fabric. For the modern chic lady, buy this clutch through 2modern for $196.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

This post is especially dedicated to all of the teachers out there. I have been lucky enough to have some amazing teachers in my life. One in particular opened my eyes to the joy of philosophers and deep and meaningful books, poems, and thoughts. Mrs. Campbell, a late and very warranted Thank-You. I still remember to this day my Walden Pond song I made up with my group! PS How is your fight against Cliff-Notes going??

All this talk is leading up to one of my favorite quotes by Thoreau.

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

So while there are so many bags that seem uniform, there are bags and people that are unique and different. While they may not be my personal favorites, they may match that person stepping to his or her own music. The Tory by TRB Fish Messenger Bag stands out with a green fish and the pailettes on the shoulder strap. To some this bag may be too much, but I am sure marching to the beat of a different drummer today. The fish has blue trim and pailettes on it which only glitz it up more. White canvas is used as this bags palette which is then adorned with a green stitching pattern. On the inside there is blue lining and a magnetic fastening. If you are stepping toward this fishy bag, buy it through Net-A-Porter for $330.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

The Vera Bradley trend is huge in some parts of the country. Anyone sitting there shaking their head up-and-down thinking about Sorority girls who carry them? Maybe you are one of them. It’s cool. I never fully got on the Vera bandwagon, but I never completely disliked her bags. One of my best friends since we were merely 10 pointed me towards a new Vera bag today that she is head-over-heels in love with. Best part is that the price is more than affordable when it comes to the world of handbags. The Vera Bradley Tropical Silk Limited Edition Kelly shows off a retro-floral print with an oval wooden handle. Just like the moon (on some nights at least), the bag is a crescent shape. On the inside there is pink logo lining and three pockets. This bag is large enough for me to again confirm that it is worth the price. Sizing up at 15″ x 8.5″ x 1.5″, this bag is available through Vera Bradley for $69.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

Coach is always releasing new lines of bags. With summer just around the corner, Coach has released a line that is going to remind you of oranges, sunny days, and a summer tan. The Coach Ombre Signature Handbags have made their way into my heart starting with the clutch. The Coach Signature Ombre Framed Clutch immerses itself in tie dye twill with embossed calfskin and leather trim. For the perfect amount of glam there is a rhinestone frame closure which opens up to show a cell phone pocket and twill lining. The clutch measures 9 (L) x 4 (H) x 2 (W) and is sure to be a summer hit (it is with me). Buy it through Coach for $348.

Get out the sun screen and designer shades, because the vibrant oranges that mix together to make the Coach Signature Ombre Large Soft Tote will have you ready for summer before you know it. This tote is perfect for everyday wear and has two side pockets with a turnlock closure along with tons of pockets on the interior. There is a dog leash closure and the bag measures 10 (L) x 12 (H) x 6 (W). Buy this orangey summer tote via Coach for $498.

Finishing off the tangerine trio is the Coach Signature Ombre Weekend Tote. This tote is big, bold, and beautiful. Like the others it shows off the tie dye twill outside with embossed calfskin and leather trim. But this bag comes with the perfect addition, a metallic fish ornament detail. This ornament makes me smile and think that I’m on the beach rather than sitting inside avoiding allergies and rain. The weekend tote also has many pockets for all of your goodies and measures a huge 15 1/4 (L) x 16 1/4 (H) x 6 1/2 (W). I’d love to take this with me on the plane to the Caribbean. Ahh that would be an amazing and needed vacation. Buy the big bag through Coach for $698.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

Many times the perfect color on a bag makes the bag. Isn’t that weird? It always baffles my mind, but it happens. The Anna Corinna Small Nouveau Tote takes on inspiration from art nouveau on its canvas bag which is accented by leather detail. On the front and back there is suede banding which gives off a perfect detail without overpowering the bag. Simple and casual is what makes this bag easy for everyday wear. The top closes with a leather drawstring and there are double leather handles. Overall this tote measures 22″L x 13″H. At first I was only set on the ivory option but upon further inspection (aka staring down the bag) I have found that I actually like both the forest and black. If anyone is bored and has some time on their hands, can you check out the model carrying the black one? Tell me if she does not remind you of Jodie Foster. Yikes she is scaring me with the resemblance. Anyhow, buy the tote through ShopBop for $312.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

Many people don’t know a lot about me, even my friends. Many don’t assume that I could ever be a good cook, but amazingly I actually am (it’s just the cleaning up after that I’m not fond of). Along with being a good cook, I used to be musically inclined. My mom was big on all of us playing some sort of instrument, so we all started with piano quite young. Don’t tell my teacher, but I never actually read the music. I just played by memory. And then in grade school I became part of an Orchestra and started playing the string bass and violin. Amazing also eh? I bet most of you didn’t even know that about me! (Well duh!). So for any of the other musically inclined ladies who love a clutch that makes a statement and has a lot of bling, Judith Leiber is the designer for you. The Judith Leiber Violin Minaudiere is a violin look alike clutch with a golden frame and made with perfectly colored Austrian crystals. I actually would just love the matching pill box, although it is not sold-separate. This novelty closes with a push-lock closure and measures 3 1/2″H x 7 1/2″W x 2 1/5″D. Ornate bling on the verge of gaudiness in my eyes- but still able to be pulled off for a night out or a red carpet event this clutch is available through Bergdorf Goodman for $3,895.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

After a bit of a long, stressful, and sick week it is finally Friday. Yay for Friday and the weekend. I am planning on doing some shopping and relaxing this weekend. Right now I am in the mood for summer fun. Pucci bags always emanate fun and flirty patterns and styles. The Emilio Pucci Mombasa-Print Small Shell Bag gets my mind summer ready with its shell shape and seaside flair. I know we all get sick of the same patterns and shapes when it comes to bags and whether you like this bag or not you must admit that it looks completely different than most bags out there. The body of this bag is a poofy Mombasa-print canvas which is accented with a textured swirl pattern on the rich brown leather trim. Some may think it is too much, but I can picture this bag with jeans, a white tee, cute shoes, and some over-sized glasses (anyone catch on to the fact that I’m a jean and tee kind of gal?!) There is gold metal hardware, an inside zip pocket, and aqua textile lining. Buy this bag through eLuxury for $750.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

Originally, I planned to report on a new Louis Vuitton bag that I had seen while windowshopping two days ago on the Berlin Ku-Damm. For those who aren’t familiar with the Kurfuerstendamm, it’s the Berlin equivalent of NYC’s 5th Ave. All the top names in fashion have their stores lined up on the long strip leading away from the famous Gedaechtniskirche, a church that was bombed during World War 2 and was never restored (in order to serve as a monument reminding people of the terrible war). As I was in Berlin for only a good day, I didn’t have the time to actually check out what the exclusive fashion world had to offer all of us, but I sure did have the opportunity to check out what the store fronts had to offer. Sadly, I couldn’t find the Speedy that I saw in the showcase on LV’s site, instead I ran into this monstrosity of a bag.

This Louis Vuitton Speedy in Monogram Canvas sports a colorful, wide strip of suede fringes, each of which has several beads hanging off of it. Glass paste tube beads inset with gold leaves, lozenge in brown glass paste, grey pierrite, golden brass sphere, you name it. In addition to that, it has 8 LV signature charms dangling all over the place. Not a big fan… hideous. Rastafarian meets classic Vuitton. I’ll pass.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

For some reason Louis Vuitton has been my designer of choice lately. While I wish that saying they are my designer of choice meant that I was buying their goods left and right, that is not the case. Rather I just want more of their products. Want is the key word there. Right now Vlad is in Berlin and I am hoping he will come back with a LV gift. Chances are no, but a girl can dream right? There is something simple yet elegant about the Louis Vuitton Antigua Sac Rabat. This satchel is inspired by one of my favorite tropical getaways, Antigua, and is easy to match and pair with many outfits. I am a jean and tee shirt kind of gal who likes to play dress up, and I am sure I could have this bag get good use. The blue canvas (my color of choice) is accented with contrasting straps and accented by polished gold brass hardware. The front shows off a fold-over flap with a double magnet closure which opens up to striped canvas lining. Finishing off this 9″ x 7″ x 2.7″ satchel is a logo plate which reads “Louis Vuitton Inventeur”. Ah-ha! I love this bag. Available through eLuxury for $500 (or it may be in Berlin at the LV store Vlad… hint hint

)

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum