Designer Handbags

It’s all about hand-held bags. They may life easy, keep those arms and shoulders from hurting, and can be flung on the wrist like an over-sized dangling bracelet. I often travel with my Louis Vuitton Wapity which is a godsend. For a funky over sized clutch, the Jimmy Choo Foldover Calfskin Clutch is the perfect mix of shiny leather goodness and stylish gold tone hardware bling. The bigger the clutch the more that can be held, which is always a plus (dimensions are 9”H X 13″L X 2″W). There is ample store room, including an outside zip pocket, interior zip pocket, and interior card pockets along with a wrist strap and suede lining. I’ve got an itch for this bag; playful, young, rocker, practical, and or sale through Saks for $1250.

I hope all of you had a weekend enjoying some spring time sunshine. I spent many days relaxing and shopping and the evenings winding down in the jacuzzi! Got to love Florida! And now as it is just warming up, when you head to swipe some plastic, you realize that fall/winter lines are out already. It is 80 degrees and I was looking at velvet hats. Hum. Not sure if it is because the coloring is drab for spring or the coloring is drab all together, the Mulberry Radcliffe Canvas Bag does not do it for me. The tan canvas appears washed out which in turn looses the Paisley leather appliques in the mix. This bag reminds me of what a very slight beige color looks like on me. DRAB. I look like I have never seen the sun, my skin looks horrid, and I just blend into the background. I hate to see a bag with potential do the same thing. There is a signature buckle and woven brown leather handles which offset the coloring a tad. Because of my light skin, light hair, and blue eyes, this bag is not for me. Yet on someone completely different, it could work. Sure it is simple, but loosing the pattern in the bag looses my interest in the bag. Via Net-A-Porter for $795.

Within the scope of Fab’s Spring Handbag Guide, the ladies present us with this fun, printed spring tote. You certainly don’t need to be involved in the nautical world to enjoy it to the fullest. The look of the tote actually reminds me a little of Louis’ Antigua line, even though the print gives the McQ a more bold appearance over the more subtle unprinted LV line. If this bag floats your boat, grab it via ShopBop for $823.

I have never been a huge fan of red, that is on me. Red is really a bold color and while I’d love to pull it off all the time (especially on my lips!), my skin tone, hair, and eyes, just don’t work perfectly with it. It is probably just be in general. But in recent years I have learned to implement it in small pieces in my wardrobe, especially when I need to wear some Ohio State colors (Go BUCKS!!!). Always amazing quality and stunning colors, Nancy Gonzalez has gone big again with the Nancy Gonzalez Shiny Crocodile Tote which is available in rockin’ cherry Caiman Fuscus crocodile. Simple tote design with a shoulder stap and open top, lined in suede, and featuring inner pockets, this tote is a perfect bold red statement. Measurements are 12 1/4″H x 14 1/2″W x 5″D. I am fairly confident that I could pull off this tote with jeans and a white tee shirt or dress it up at night and look ravishing. Totally eye-catching through Neiman Marcus for $3600.

For someone always on the go, an everyday bag is a must. My collection has quite a few ‘everyday’ bags by my own standards, but I am growing sick of some and others are too heavy. I have been toting my Chloe Paddington Tote (which is quite a bit heavier than my Paddington Satchel) recently, and while it is absolutely stunning it is also absolutely heavy. The probability is high that the weight of the bag is directly correlated with what I carry, which includes everything but the kitchen sink. I need a bag that is light, simple, and chic. The Vanessa Bruno Double Zip Tote is perfect for everyday wear, is light because it is made with black nylon, and catches the eye with leather trim and two folds. The nylon folds to meet in a leather strap that graces the middle of the bag, giving a slouchy yet chic shape. Finished off with zip pockets on either side, this handbag is a beauty and will be easy to maintain: $686 via Net-A-Porter.

The past two days have been devoted to handbags that cost the price of a BMW, a nicer BMW, and a small house, but with a pinch on my arm and its all back to reality. This reality is, of course, still in the world of designer bags, but doesn’t that low 4 digit price tag look amazingly refreshing today? For an everyday tote which rides on the metallic wave trend, the Yves Saint Laurent Metallic Downtown Tote is a favorite. The Downtown Collection has been a hit thus far for YSL and the new colors of the hits keep rolling in. Metallic silver leather along with silver-tone hardware pair together in this funky tote. Front buckle strap detailing and front pockets give an added touch to an otherwise simple bag. I love the shape of this bag, which is perfect for everyday wear but will still provide you with some edge. Through Neiman Marcus for $1595.

I’m sitting here in yet another airport ready for another vacation and I just realized that I need a more colorful handbag. I know, it is shocking that this is what comes to mind at the airport, but it is clear as day. The lady across from me is wearing a striking green shirt that keeps catching my attention from my peripheral. And next to her, another young chic gal in a light green cardigan. So green it is. A new favorite among many, Gryson creates ‘timeless, modern bags with that unique combination of luxury and attitude.’ Perfect description right there of what Gryson bags entail. The Gryson Buckled Shoulder Bag from the Saddle Group is named the Jessie and is available in the green that I lust for. Not lime green, not forest green, but a stunning color that appeases my need for color yearning. The leather is supple and paired with brass hardware. Your attention is drawn to the buckled shoulder strap, which is adjustable, and wrapped handle. Suede lining finishing off the inside, along with a zip and slide pocket. Dimensions are 8″H x 11″W x 7″D. Get gorgeous green at Neiman Marcus for $725.

I’m really adoring this Zac Posen leather zip satchel. I don’t tend to buy white bags, and if you could see the floor of my dorm room, you’d understand why. The appeal of this bag is just what prevents me from pulling out the plastic for it - it’s beautifully, gorgeously clean! Eggshell white with little pure splashes of gold hardware, this bag is perfect for an enchanted spring and summer, where there is no dirt or evil. I’d love to see it worn with a lighter-than-air mint-green dress and white patent wedges. The shape is adorable, with little flounces at every edge, and Zac Posen’s signature hexagonal hardware is understated but perfectly in place. The strap is long enough to go over the shoulder for easy wear, and I’m falling in love with this bag the more I write about it! Must…stop…can’t…care…for…white…leather…! Sigh…if you’re tidier than me, by all means, pick up this beautiful satchel for $1,395via Neiman Marcus, and please, be careful around ketchup and babies and inebriated friends.

After a not so relaxing weekend, my early Monday mood is doldrum to say the least. Let me tell you, stress sucks (I know, you are thinking ‘tell us something we didn’t know!’). Being stressed really just eats at your body. Don’t let it in, even when you have a ton on your shoulders. And to think, I am merely stressed from packing for a very long ‘vacation’. Life needs to slow down! So to start today, I have found two handbags to show the perfect mood I am in; one censored, one not. The Get Your Own Bag B#*@% Tote is cunning, clever, and a tad cynical which makes the perfect mix for some days. This canvas tote features a coy cartoon of a girl ready to duke it out over her handbag, and let me tell you, that is my kind of girl. She is spunky and has attitude. Don’t even begin to think I would be anyone other than the blond haired girl, being really nice to stop someone to say ‘Nice Bag’ and getting a tongue lashing. All those who know me, know, I am just that nice. Anyhow, this tote made my day and makes a statement. Check out other Angry Little Girls! handbags. Tote $24.99 via Algstore, censored version here and uncensored here.

Persons who still can not get into rated R movies do not need to go after the jump for the uncensored version!

You know you travel more than most when you start to have people who work the counter recognize you, can answer questions better than the airport staff, know exactly where each gate is at nearly every airport, and have the security check down. I am on land for another week and a half, and then up in the air on my way to Barcelona, then flying to Venice, then flying to Florida, then two weeks later to Ohio. Apparently I love cruising altitude more than steady turf. Yesterday I was lucky to sit next to a woman from Connecticut and talk about life, family, work, and everything in between. She was great. She has two kids and while I told her about Purse Blog she and I started to talk about travel gear. I couldn’t help but keep my mind from wandering about what would be perfect kid travel gear. Today I found a cool back pack for a dude and a cute roll on for a little girl. Funky and fresh, the Lipstik Luggage Roller is hand-painted and features, pink, denim, aqua, and purple coloring throughout. The front zipper pouch sports the words “love” and “peace” in paint. Easy to carry for a toddler to a tween, this roller is cute and affordable. Buy it through Neiman Marcus for $125. And for the cool dude, the Diesel Logo Backpack comes in an army green with blue denim trim and a white “Diesel 78″ on the front. Toss in an iPod, hand held game player, and a car magazine, and your cool dude is good to go. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $65.