Designers Handbags

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.

While New York Fashion Week is an amazing event, Milan Fashion Week always leaves something to look forward to with its top fashion house designers. The big handbag accessory behind the Prada Fall 2007 line in Milan were hand-held clutches. Sure this makes life hands free, but the actually space where you place your hand is rather bulky and large which hides your hand completely and seems a tad overpowering. Miuccia tried to tone it down a notch by adding a bow, and of the two, the bow version would be my pick.

After the clutches came an odd array of handbags. From alright, to furry, to simple, to ruched green, the line was not really powerful overall. Spotted all over the runway was huge outfits of tufty mohair, colorful stockings, and funky high-heeled shoes. Miuccia may confuse some, but Prada is always a designer force to be reckoned with.

{Via Style}

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.

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.

I am one of those girls that never used to like pink, but I have developed a special liking for it since college; it is just so feminine. If you are looking for a great pink patent leather bag, the Fendi Patent Leather B Bag may be just for you. The B Bag is an amazing style in my opinion, and this version is killer. It all depends on your bank account or your love of pink. If you truly have so much money that owning a pink patent bag is no biggie (seeing that you won’t get incredible use of it), or if you are a lover of pink so much that this could be your bag staple, then this is for you.There are brass chain handles and blue patent leather shoulder panels which both break up and even out the colors. A great B Bag rendition via Net-A-Porter for $1765.

Hilary Duff is single, young, sexy, and fashionable. The girl has really grown into herself from Lizzie McGuire cutie to sophisticated singer (kinda)/actress/latte drinker. Subtle, soft, but still a tad edgy and punk, Hilary Duff rocks the Marc Jacobs Debbie Sweet Punk Hobo Bag which is a hot line from Marc Jacobs because it perfectly implements supple leather with stud detailing. On the outside there is also ring detailing, an zipper pocket, and a turn lock with flap closure. Totally great for everyday wear, the hobos dimensions are 14″HX 17″LX 4″W. Rock on Hilary, rock on. Buy the bag via Saks for $1800.

My dad has become a purse loving dad/husband since I have brainwashed him. Just kidding, there has been no brain washing, but he really has come along. Last week for Valentine’s Day, my dad made a short trip to Louis Vuitton Bal Harbour to find the perfect small accessory to be the perfect gift for my mom. He was not only greeted, but also treated impeccably by the Bal Harbour LV staff, who helped him to decide on the Myrtille Epi Pochette Accessories which is the perfect compliment to her Myrtille Epi Alma. My mom could not be more thrilled to have the perfect small accessory in a color she loves! Epi Alma $1090 via eLuxury; Epi Pochette Accessories $360 via eLuxury.

*A huge thank you to the staff at Louis Vuitton Bal Harbour!! My mom loves her new accessory and my dad can not stop raving about your service!! I’ll be visiting soon too…

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.

By no means am I a pill popper. Actually, I am fighting a nasty cold right now and refuse to take Sudafed; it makes me feel funny. Guess what I am taking? Children’s Dimetapp. Yep, I am that adult that buys the grape flavored liquid when I have a cold. I *hate* taking medication, it makes me feel funny. But if I were to take something in pill form (say Children’s Tylenol), I would feel like royalty of the ocean carrying it in the Leiber Crystal Shell Pillbox. Ornate, intricate, and really a work of art, this pillbox is meticulously designed with Austrian stones and features a push lock closure. It is tiny, so it really will only fit your pills; merely measuring 2″H X 2″L X ”W. This would be perfect if I were taking any pill for any problem like a normal person would, but chances are my bottle of Dimetapp would not fit in this pillbox

Via Saks for $425.