Designer Handbags

Neutrals and black and white (or any shade of black or white) are always the safest colors. Personally, I look drab in many beige colors, but deeper browns are great on me. I look better in gray than in black. I like both white and any shade of creme on myself. We are all different, but black and white are fairly safe colors. I will admit, I’d prefer a pink canvas bag to a black/ivory, but there is some appeal in the Marni Printed Cotton Shopper. This tote bag is made with cotton canvas, a maze like pattern, and has drawstrings openings at the top. I am actually getting a tad dizzy looking at it, which makes me realize it is totally not for me, but I do think it is great for a younger age gal wanting to dress down. Leather trim and nylon handles finish off this Marni shopper. Simple, but the maze reminds me a tad of a lab mouse maze, and that is sure something that I do not want to be reminded of when carrying around my everyday. What are your thoughts? Is this a safe bag, a fun bag, a bag only for young people, a bag that you despise, a bag that makes you dizzy?

Via NAP for $474.

Not many men have a skincare regime everyday. Trust me, getting Vlad to rub a bit of lotion on is a feat. But for the men that have been truly tamed, or the females that don’t mind a very simple and unisex bag, the Ermenegildo Zegna Toiletry Kit can help you travel with the necessities. Toss in your sun screen, cleanser, toner, lotion, and tote this brown leather and silver tone hardware kit on trips. As long as your regime is not completely ridiculously long, this 6″H x 10 1/5″W x 4 7/10″D bag will be a great travel companion. Via Bergdorf Goodman for $395.

Typically, I would prefer Jimmy Choo on my feet, but every so often Choo releases a bag that I fall for. I fall for it in the way that I enjoy looking at it, appreciate the craftsmanship, but will never buy it. Does that make it a bad handbag? Maybe that just means my bank account needs to totally lust for a bag to buy it, not just enjoy it. Either way, I am strongly ‘enjoying’ the Jimmy Choo Leather & Suede Satchel because of its laid back style, use of sheen calfskin alongside soft suede, and funky hardware. From the front view, the bag looks a bit bland, but shown from the side I love it. I’d wear it right to the resort or to the country club, heck, I’d wear it to the grocery store. You would have to be a bit careful with the bag, being that it is light in color and suede is harder to care for. If you could bring it into your handbag cycle, it would be a totally chic sporty bag. Side pockets, double shoulder straps, and a top zip closure finish off the bag. Dimensions are 10″H X 15″L X 6”W. I am not running out to buy the bag, but I do ‘enjoy’ it thoroughly! Through Saks for $1895.

Front picture after the jump!

Like I have said many times, I grew up on the ocean. Well not on it per say, although I always wanted to live in the ocean in Stilt City but that is besides the point. My family was never much of a fisher-family, seeing that both my mom and I are allergic and we all rather have someone prepare our food rather than take all that time to slice, dice, and remove parts. All things aside, we still would go on boats often and still had friends that liked to fish and use nets to catch all sorts of ocean critters. We used to wade in the sand bars and catch little crabs and other marine life in nets. The nets we used looked like a slightly different version of the Dolce & Gabbana Vitello Canvas Tote which appears more like a fisherman’s accessory than an accessory for a lady on solid shore ground. This canvas bag sports net-like woven metallic leather and a wooden top handle. Might as well give the dimensions seeing that you need to know the size of marine life that you can fit in here; 11”H X 15″L X 5″W. Totally hideous and if I were sitting on way too much money, I’d cut out the canvas lining and literally use this metallic net to catch something or other out there. At least I would do it and make a fashion statement. Fugly and overpriced through Saks for $1550.

Proudly sporting the ‘Art to Wear Girl Scout Badge’

Oh yes, I was in girl scouts. You better believe it. And when I was too young to be in girl scouts, I was an honorary members of my sisters troop (where my mom was of course the troop leader). One of my favorite activities was tie-dyeing. For every activity out there, there is a girl scout badge, I kid you not. You glue Popsicle sticks together with glue, you got yourself a new badge. But the tie-dyeing, now that was a badge well earned. Problem is the actual process because if you do not treat the garment properly, you end up with a brown creation, and who wants that really?! I have my hand in my imaginary girl scout troop leader badge drawer and and pulling out an ‘Art to Wear Badge’ for the designers behind the Miu Miu Camoscio Tie-Dye Tote. The folks behind the bag sure do deserve their badge, seeing that they were able to tie-dye suede with white and blue and even tie-dye the double handles. On top of this, the bag has a pleated front and a removable cross body strap (I’d keep the strap for outdoor adventures and campfires). Ah, you all catch my sarcastic drift here. Scouts honor, I am not trying to be rude, the bag is partially cute, it’s just not for me. Through Saks for $1445 (now you know that a girl scout really did not make this bag!)

I find that many women obsess over sizing. ‘Good gawd this is an 10, I don’t wear a 10! I’m not buying this’ or ’seriously I am going on a diet and once I get to my goal these 6’s will fit’. Ladies, for years I had a closet full of ‘once-I-get-to-the-size-I-like-clothes. They inevitably never fit, and at times (a long time ago I tell you), I would pull those pants up, lay ont he ground, do lunges, stretch and squeeze, until the pants would fit. BAD idea. The fact that the pants could ‘fit’ was not a good sign, because they were so far from flattering that it was gaggable. Learn from this ladies, buy clothes that fit, don’t look at the sizes! This happens in the handbag realm also, not ALL handbags look good on everyone. A huge bag could look really overpowering on a small framed person just as a really tiny bag can look ridiculous on a tall/larger framed person. If you look in the mirror when trying on a handbag, and you are not sure, do not buy it. This is exactly the thought that came to my mind when I saw this De Couture Metallic Shoulder Strap Handbag, well that, and actually that it is completely fugly either way. Simply put, metal and leather are combined in an Medieval like manner, with a thick shoulder strap of metal, and a ring that connects to the small compartment bag. Totally not for me (since I am 5′10), and totally not for me even if I were 4′10.

Through Luisaviaroma for $920.

Sick of blue yet? Well here’s another blue beauty for you. Hope you can handle it. I am loving this Anya Hindmarch Pipa Leather Frame Handbag. The ladylike structure and the understated hardware make for a gorgeous classic, and the textured leather, white stitching, and tiny little bow details add a little whimsical fun and femininity. I would love this bag with jeans or a sleek all-white outfit for spring. Nab it now for $925 at Net-A-Porter.

by Nerdphanie!

At 10 years old I was playing with my Barbies with my plastic Barbie car and occasionally with my Polly Pocket. There was a special on Oprah recently about child wonders, uhmmm it sure did dumb me down a bit. And the other night, a different 10 year old wonder was sitting at the Oscars and up for Best Supporting Actress. I must admit, I was rooting for her, because while I love Jennifer Hudson her performance was more of a musical one than acting one in my opinion. The adorable Abigail Breslin was part of one of my favorite movies of the year, Little Miss Sunshine. Abigail showed up at the Oscars with a huge smile and an princess like Simin dress. Her accessories were impeccable choices for her princess ensemble; Harry Winston jewels and a Daniel Swarovski clutch. I am completely smitten that she even posed with her Swarovski clutch, holding it proudly because she sure did earn it. Abigail, I was rooting for you and am sure there will be much more of you in the future!

To nab a similar clutch, try the Swarovski Beverly Hills Evening Bag for $1,040 at Swarovski.

via Just Jared and Style

With the Oscars just behind us, many have evening bags on mind. From VBH, to Swarovski, to Leiber, to newcomer in the handbag world Roger Vivier, hand candy was an ultimate Oscars accessory. If you are not one of the lucky few who is actually given an expensive bag for free, join me in the search for spending your own hard earned money on a fabulous evening bag. For a very elegant and angelic evening bag, I am loving the goddess gold shimmer on the Maddalena Marconi Gold Pleated Organza Silk Evening Bag. All combined in one amazing bag, fine organza silk is combined with exquisite Swarovski crystals, which are shown off on a delicate and lady-like frame closure which is reminiscent of an highly elite Medieval Ball. For today’s purposes, any black tie event, exhibit, company party, masquerade, or any other event for that matter would find this piece to be the perfect accompaniment. Best part is the price, just under $500 via Forzieri so you can look like royalty without spending an arm and a leg.

Pucci is typically known for its colorful swirl pattern. But sleek and sophisticated on a Pucci clutch, that is unheard of… WRONG. Check out this stunner (Ok I am obsessed with blue lately, sorry!). The Emilio Pucci Silk Clutch Handbag screams summertime because of the aqua silk body. The aqua on this clutch is the color of the Carribean oceans and is paired with a matte gold frame and an oversized clasp closure on the top. Then you open to the inside to see that quirky multi-color print that Pucci is so well known for. I’m just in a blue phase, a happy one, but a blue phase. Via Net-A-Porter for $690.