Designer Handbags

As you may, or may not have noticed, the PurseBlog got a makeover and is now flying its brand-spanking-new summer outfit. Version 3.0 was getting boring to look at, and I’ve finally motivated myself to get the work done to recreate, renovate and redo the ol’ hag. Let me know if you like it! Do I get a cookie now?

Ok, I’ll pass on the cookie. Aside from the redesign, I’ve come to the conclusion that my bag arsenal totally sucks, especially for a guy who sits at the helm of interweb’s biggest site dedicated to… bags. A shame really. Before you suggest for me to indulge myself with some lady bags, I need to preemtively announce and I don’t fly lady bags. While other guys may respectfully disagree with me, I just don’t see myself ever wearing a Speedy, for example (although Megs claims that her recent aquisition does look good on me… yikes). On the search of a genuinely good looking man bag, I stumbled across the Hugo Boss Havana Canvas Messenger Bag, which, surprisingly, only goes for 275 dollar Americano. Not bad for a bag from Boss, I would have expected it to go for at least twice as much. The bag offers a sleek, sophisticated everyday style that I really see myself sporting every day. The flap over the front covers two large pouch pockets with magnetic snap closures while the flat pocket on the back is perfect for magazines or papers. Now I just have to figure out if the messenger fits my 17 inch Macbook Pro and I am ready to kick the Samsonite backpack in the dust. [via eLuxury]

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

Today is all about the feet and what covers them. I have always been a flip-flop girl, but with age comes the professional world and in that world no shoes, no shirt *is* a problem. It is more than just one kind of problem, because the world of shoes can be very expensive. But I know I love to indulge. Today is the battle of the designer shoes. Which design gets your vote from each designer? First we have some beautiful flats from the Marc by Marc Jacobs line.

First we have the beautiful and ornate Marc by Marc Jacobs Suede Flat with Python-Print Leather. While these flats have a lot going on, it is the perfect amount in my eyes. The light blue suede with python-print leather trim is exotic and sultry. Better yet, the shoe has a round toe with scalloped cutout detail and gold piping which offsets the suede and python-print. Sometimes I am not sure why I love the busy look, but this shoe just kind of gets me and looks really chic in my eyes. Finishing off these flats is a 1″ python-print leather covered heel. Available for $310 via eLuxury.

But in a battle, there has to be an opponent. On the other side of this so-called-battle is the refined and polished Marc by Marc Jacobs Velvet and Patent Flat. While the first flat seems more like a shoe to be worn for fun with the girls or to flirt with the guys

the latter seems to be a shoe to dress up. This flat is made with sumptuous navy plush velvet and is trimmed with patent leather. To add a girly touch, there is a patent leather bow over the rounded tow. These Marc flats are available via eLuxury for $295.

But the ultimate question is which flat would you pick? These two beauties could easily make your feet be the center of attention, but let’s see who wins the Battle of the Shoes.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

First and foremost Happy Father’s Day to all you amazing daddies out there!! My dad deserves a ton of appreciation and love today- he is amazing. Problem with my dad is that he is impossible to shop for. Designer anything is not his style. I wonder every year what to get him and he ends up with the same thing from everyone in the family, new work shirts and ties and sometimes a new suit. So dad, if you are reading this, please let me know what I can give you as a gift, you are impossible to shop for!

I have found a gift that is probably as far away from something that my dad would like as they come, but it is worth a manly try for some other amazing men out there. Paul Smith has quirky bags that may appeal to many men. Vlad for one loves motorcycles. It is not that I don’t think motorcycles are cool; it is that the safety factor terrifies me. So as long as I have any say in it, the closest Vlad will get to owning a motorcycle is this bag. The Paul Smith Triumph Messenger Bag is designed from woven canvas with leather trim and bright purple cotton canvas lining. The clincher is the photo image of a Triumph motorcycle on the front and back of the bag. This messenger bag has an adjustable shoulder strap and interior zip pocket and slot pocket. Honestly, I think this bag on a guy would look metro but could also be so handsome. Measuring 19″ x 12″ x 4.75″, buy this trendy thing for your man (or Dad!) for $420 through eLuxury.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

And for the last Spy of the day, Fendi brought in two power tools to make a bag that could be one of the most gorgeous fall bags I’ve seen yet. In my opinion, Velvet can either look amazing or look tacky. In the case of the Spy, velvet looks amazing. The Fendi Wisteria Velvet Spy Bag shows off soft and sultry black velvet along with leather floral appliquГ©s. While I would not consider this bag a bag for all seasons, I do consider it a bag that would make you have the most stunning accessory for fall and winter. Since this is the 3rd Spy of the day, you know all about the extras the bag has. Only difference is that this bag as satin lining. This seems like the most divine combination ever. I want one so badly… Vlad is going to get whined at in about 5 minutes time. Anyone else in lurve with this beauty?? Available to be pre-ordered through Saks for $2990 (I loveee how the price is just under $3000 which helps me justify it more!!)

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

Before I start to hear it, STOP. Today is Spy day here at the Purse Blog whether you like it or not. If not, come back tomorrow and the Spys will be gone, promise

Many of us have seen the Wisteria Spy Bag, but this color looks divine on the bag. The Fendi Wisteria Leather Spy Bag is designed from the supple textured leather which is perfectly offset by floral appliquГ©, woven double top handles and wristlet accent. Just like the other Spys, this sibling Spy also has a hidden coin purse, canvas lining, and measures 11″H X 17″L X 9″W. While the Wisteria has already been welcomed to the world, this color has not. This is what Fendi calls Grey and it looks lavish and melts my heart. I love the color! Also available via pre-order through Saks for $2380.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

I still remember the day that I learned about corduroy pants. I thought the texture was the coolest thing ever. My mom told me about her cords she had in college that were bell-bottoms and pink, blue, green, black, beige, and every color of the rainbow. All I thought to myself was “I want those on me!!!!” Little did I know that cords are nothing out of the ordinary really, but they still appeal to me. While many are still not on the Fendi Spy wagon, I am obviously a huge fan. The Fendi Corded Leather Spy Bag manifests in the Spy that many of us know and love with a bit of distinction with its ribbed leather. Some people just dig textures and I am one of those people. The Spy is no different than the others in that it has a hidden coin purse with a snap closure, a fold-over flap closure, woven double handles, and canvas lining. While I do feel special and love my Spy bag, I would love to be on the list of ‘extraordinary’ Spy’s. This bag measures 11″H X 17″L X 9″W and is available in Cherry leather through Saks for $3300 (pre-order- expected to ship by 9/30).

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

Some patterns on bags remind me of something a grandma would wear. Now I am not bashing any of you grandma’s out there- rock on ladies!! But some patterns just look ‘matronly’ if that is a better word :p The Pucci print is unmistakable- you see it anywhere and you know it. But sometimes, Pucci has a bit of a different bag that is a bit more subtle but you still see the underlying similarities and know it is Pucci. All my talk about ‘matronly’ bags and Pucci comes together with a new bag I saw today. The Emilio Pucci Festa-Print North/South Bag is covered in the Festa-print canvas and is accented with hot pink leather trim and piping. The canvas just looks a bit like Vera Bradley, which many consider ‘matronly’ also. While it does look a bit old, I also think it could work for all ages. On the inside there is Pucci logo textile and a zipped pocket. The new Pucci bag measures 11″ x 10″ x 4″ (at base) and is available through eLuxury for $415.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

Guess what, Megs did some shopping and her new bag arrived last night. No use in keeping it a big secret, I am sure that our avid readers already know what it is… you still wanna head over to the forum thread and check out the pictures I took this morning. Congrats on the new bag love, now you can pay attention to me again!

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

Charms are fun, they’re an easy way to give the boring ol’ bag a new touch, refresh it with some shiny bling, you know what I mean. Louis Vuitton is not far when it comes to lil cute bag charms, either. Always on top of the game… that’s LV for ya. The reason why I love this Louis Vuitton Car Charm so much is because it reminds of the first car my mom got after our family emigrated to Germany. It must have been around 1985/6, money was low and while my dad was pimping in a rusty Fiat, my mom drove me around in a baby-blue Citroen 2CV. The 2CV is the car that the charm is modelled after - one of the greatest and most popular french cars ever built. Though terribly unsafe (the doors weren’t any thicker than its 25 page user’s manual) and awfully slow (the 2CV’s popular nickname was Deux Chevaux - Two Horses, you get the picture), it had an unmatched charme and was loved by millions. Ours had a manually folding roof that leaked in the rain, and breaking into it could be done with a fork… which happened 8 times in the 3 years we had it. Good times. This 18 karat 2CV in solid gold and with two sapphires acting as headlights does cost about 10x as much as our 2CV was worth back then ($2,580), and I do think that you have to drive a little more than two horses in order to be willing to spend that amount on a freakin’ bag charm… it was still worth the mention, just because it brought back all the sweet memories.

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum

One of the many reasons why I love The Purse Forum is because it brings people together. If you aren’t registered, you are definitely missing out

Recently, one of tPFers was kind enough to send me a gift, her own product and design, a 14k Starfish Necklace. The necklace is perfectly fitting for me and reminds me of my Florida roots. Better yet, I will call that necklace my lucky charm- it landed me a new job!! This particular necklace hangs from a delicate 14K yellow gold chain and closes with a spring clasp. For my other ladies who love the beach and ocean, this is perfect. Buy it through Future Fashionista for $75 (enter Purseblog for a 20% off discount!!!)

The love and beauty does not stop at necklaces. Future Fashionista is a broad and expansive site that offers necklaces, bracelets, earrings, baby & kids, gifts for men, diamonds, and watches. You can get any piece of jewelry for you or your family. Next I want to talk about a beautiful baby gift. Perfect for a newborn or a big sister or both, the 14k Gold Pearl Bracelet has each pearl individually hand-knotted on the bracelet. The two-step clasp is available in 14K yellow or white gold. Having a bracelet like this for your baby can be used for pictures and then saved next to the baby shoes as a priceless memory and heirloom. Originally $56, the bracelet is marked down to $40 via Future Fashionista.

Next on the list of goodies is a pair of earrings that will dazzle and dangle and shimmer and shine. The Boho Chick Teardrop shaped Earrings are the perfect but subtle way to make your ears the center of attention. These earrings are made of solid 14K yellow gold and have a bit of an ethnic flare. The earrings are 1.5 inches long and have inner curving. Buy these through Future Fashionista for $130.

***Future Fashionista offers so many more beautiful accessories that I have not covered. Make sure to go over there and check them out. Don’t forget to enter Purseblog to get your 20% off discount!!!***

Discuss this post in the Purse Forum