Designers Handbags

Who doesn’t like a deal? I can not walk into a store with a major sale and not leave with something, it feels so justifiable. It is some sort of tick in my brain that tells me ‘Seriously, are you going to pass that up? It is marked down 40%!! Just do it’. Yep, that is not Jiminy Cricket, it is my shopping-enabling conscience. My sister is a huge Kooba fan, so I must tell her of this steal of a deal I found and hopefully her little tick will tell her to buy this bag too.

eLuxury has the Kooba Sloane Tote on sale right now. A funky black bag, this Kooba is made with grained Italian leather, antiqued brass hardware, and features crisscross leather straps on the front and back of the bag. On the inside there is suede lining and a zip pocket and two cell phone pockets. This bag is a great black bag, especially for a gal who wants to sport a younger funkier brand, and measures 13″ x 15″ x 6″.

On sale now via eLuxury for $449 (marked down from $645).

As a Miami Heat fan, the term ‘White Hot’ is an integral part of my vocabulary (that is when the Heat can pull-it-together). Like a broken record, I keep repeating myself going on and on about the hot factor of white handbags. Adding another contender to the list of white hot designer handbags, Miu Miu gives us a rendition of sophistication and elegance in the Miu Miu Rectangular Leather Tote. Clean white leather is offset with gold hardware and paired with a clasp fastening strap on the top. This strap adds so much to the bag without being much, if you get what I mean. This is South Beach hot. Today I have some sort of uncontrollable itch for a colorful (or color-less) bag. You must admit, this is white hot on a sexy elegant level. Just under $1000 via NAP.

Bigger pic below!

I am finally on solid ground and here to stay for a while. After yet another long day of traveling, I waved goodbye to Florida and hello to Ohio. But it was not easy to leave beautiful South Florida, especially after spending yesterday at the infamous and overly packed Fort Lauderdale Air and Sea Show. I toted an oversized Vera Bradley bag to the beach, but got the feeling that a designer straw bag would be even better. Not out of the world expensive, the Rafe Seagrass Basket sports a casual tote style with metallic brown laser-cut leather trim on the seagrass woven body. A straw bag screams out summer, but there needs to be a little something extra to get me wanting the bag. The dimensions are large, yet not super-sized, measuring 10 1/2″H x 17″W x 6 1/2″D. Place all your beach going accessories in a stylish straw bag and head to the beach this summer in style. If you are not near a beach, just pretend

There is something about an earthy understated bag that is so practical and perfect for so many. Many times we are all so caught up with the newest trends, that we forget many people manifest their handbag desires in a great everyday bag. Mulberry deserves much credit for their sturdy simple designs that get the job done and do not add too many additions to make the bag detract from its intent. The Mulberry Leather Bayswater Bag uses a earthy warm ‘oak Darwin’ colored leather to make a handbag that is easy for everyday use. The two handles make this a perfect tote and there is a gold buckle fastening on the front. A flap closure, internal pockets, and adjustable side straps that give a little more room in the bag finish it off. There is also a chance the bag can fit under the arm nicely. Just under $1000 at NAP, this bag is sure to be a stunning bag for the gal who just needs to use a handbag (unlike those of us who have growing collections!).

Hello from Florence!! It has been a little while since I checked in, seeing that paying 5 per half hour of the slowest internet available really eats away money quickly (and that I am on vacation), I have been laying low. Vlad and I have tons of great pictures from Venice and now my friend Kim and I do from Florence too. Vlad and I even managed to pick you all up some goodies from Venice

There are tons of American travelers here and many of them scream out American. Funny thing is that so many Americans still enjoy standing out like a sore thumb here. I literally saw this bag today while strolling through beautiful Florence. The Luella Geek Print Shopper is nothing that I would care to be seen with, I am totally over the shirts with clever sayings and never got into the bags with them. Before Geek is printed on the front, there is merely natural canvas, double shoulder straps, and a press stud fastening. Who could you see carrying this? Vlad is our techie after all… maybe one of you should buy it for him! Via Net A Porter for $140.

There are most likely two reasons why you do not own a crocodile handbag. Reason number one is that you are vehemently against the use of crocodile to make a handbag. Reason number two, which I fall into, is because you flat out can’t afford this luxury. Personally, I wish I fell into category number one. That would mean I just don’t want a croc bag. But in all reality, I pine for one. Hopefully that day will be soon, but if you fall into either categories there are bags out there that are embossed or have a pattern that looks like croc even though it is not the real thing. No worries, I won’t tell. Take the Yves Saint Laurent Medium Downtown Tote for example, which shows off quilted patent leather fused in a crocodile pattern. Looks convincing enough, sports trendy patent leather, and is in a very trendy bag. The Downtown Tote has been a favorite of many celebs because of its versatility and great shape. Brass hardware is used, along with an inside pocket, and lush suede and satin lining. Dimensions are 17″W X 14″H X 7″D. If you can’t truly croc, then try a faux-croc like this. Via Saks for $1895.