Designers Handbags

I have been teasing you all with hints at the bag I bought while in Venice. It took me so long to get this post together you may have thought that I was pulling your leg. Well, take your leg back from me, the goods are here to be shown!

The Bottega Veneta store in Venice was great. Situated right by the Grand Canal on a side ’street’, close to my fabulous Bauer hotel, and a few minute walk from Plazza St Marco, there was one of the Bottega stores. The store itself was not overwhelming huge, but the bags inside will TDF. The store manager helped me, and showed me every bag under the sun. I felt all the exotics which were divine, he was opening more and more drawers showing more and more bags and accessories. I was set on either a Magnolia bag (light pink) or something in the purple family… you know, a feminine color perfect for spring and summer!

At first I was pretty much set on the Large Veneta in Magnolia, but then I saw this stunner. The Old Petra color is hard to really know unless you see it in person- not lilac, not brown, but a beautiful mix of the two. The color is stunning, and on my skintone and coloring it was a much better choice than the Magnolia. The Large Veneta is a very fun shape, but I wanted a little more structure, which is why I went with the bag I did.

May I introduce you to my beautiful new Bottega Veneta Old Petra Gold Hardware beauty!! Granted, I am not exactly sure of the name of the bag, but if I were to name it, I would just name it beautiful! It is sophisticated and fun- just perfect for me!

After I got my bag, I picked up the two goodies for the BV giveaway, and was done. But just the other day, Vlad and I made our way to BV Bal Harbour and I somehow left with two small goodies. I could not resist the Magnolia Ostrich Pig Key Chain- there is not a lot of ostrich detailing on the one I picked, but that is perfect for me! And then I opted for another small accessory- a coin purse with a key chain! Perfect little accessories!!

Hope you all enjoy the pics, and I must admit, it is easy to become addicted to these leather goods- simply divine!!!

Check out the extensive pictures on this thread in the tPF

There is a saying “When in Rome” then seems so cliche and so cool to use at times, and right now I need to modify the statement a tad to “When in Venice…buy a Bottega Bag”. I hinted at my purchase (which I will reveal in full later after I take tons of great pictures), and right now I will tell you that my bag is most definitely a Bottega Veneta. Certain to leave Italy with a piece of BV yummie goodness, I spent tons of time in the Venice store learning about so many new bags, what is hot, and finding the perfect bag for The Purse Blog Queen herself. I teetered between the bag I bought and the Bottega Veneta Large Veneta Handbag shown here. This handbag in pink magnolia is so feminine, slouchy, supple, and just perfect for spring and summer. If you wanted the perfect blushing pink accessory, this would be it. The color is a very light pink but a stunning pink shade nonetheless. The large size that I was trying on measures 20 x 20 inches, which fit perfectly under my arm and left ample space. While this option is stunning, I found a handbag that suits me even more perfectly (and my skin tone). But surely, if you love this bag, get it! $1630 through Bottega Veneta.

As you are reading this I am most likely not enjoying my trans-Atlantic flight back to the states. The whole being tall, not having much leg room, being allergic to most foods they serve, thing really is no fun. I am a big fan of choosing which movie I want to watch, but my last plane did not have the option. The only thing keeping me happy on the flight will be knowing that I am getting a great meal once I get back to Ft. Lauderdale and knowing that I am brining home the most beautiful handbag from Bottega Veneta. So I have a slight obsession with BV right now (you will see why when you see my new bag). I caught a beautiful wallet on sale via NAP, and figured I must share the good news. The Bottega Veneta Suede Continental Wallet is a stunning rendition, especially for fall and winter, of anthracite suede with intrecciato woven leather and a flap front. A simple yet stunning amber enamel clasp fastening is secure on the front flap and the inside features a coin section and credit card slots. I’d carry this as a clutch too, making sure that my hands were quite clean first (since suede does tend to get dirty quickly). Nab this while it is still there: via Net A Porter for $472.

Call the Dr, I think I have an addiction! So I told you all I would not be posting while on vacation (other than saved posts I did before the trip), but here I am in my hotel in Barcelona posting. Whoops. I felt the need to check in and have downtime right now waiting for my friend to get to the hotel. After my lovely $45 USD cab ride (which was 25 Euros, and then some, but I had to give American dollars because I ran out of Euros… LONG story!), I got to check into my hotel early, THANKFULLY, and already napped! So thoughts keep coming back in my head of all the travelers and Spaniards I have met so far that have told me to keep my handbag near by. Will someone really want to steal from me, an American tourist??

Of course I am a prime suspect. But please don’t pick pocket me or take from me, because I have found a clutch that I just have to have. I am having a strong premonition that I will not leave Bottega Veneta empty handed while in Italy. For a small piece of Bottega Veneta heaven, there is the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Black Leather Clutch. Simplicity at its finest, the signature woven leather forms a triangular clutch that has a fold over top with a magnetic closure. I wish the inside were lined in supple suede, but canvas will do when the clutch merely costs $560 via Net-A-Porter. Depending on the exchange rate etc, I may have to pick this baby up in the next few days will in Italy.

Adios all from Barcelona!!

Hey guys, it’s Nerdphanie, aka the Shopping Nerd. I’ll be holding house until Megs is back from gallivanting about Europe, so be good to me! Anyway, feast your eyes on this Bottega Veneta Old Petra anaconda tote bag! I’ve actually seen this beauty with my own eyes, held it with my own hands, and let me tell you, it is a knock-out bag. The anaconda is perfectly soft and the bag is supple and delicious. The warm dark pink Old Petra is my favorite Bottega color this season. It reminds me of my favorite ice cream bar, a perfect little swirl of purple-brown red bean and milk. I love the clasp, too. According to the SA I talked to, Bottega only does these exquisite clasps for exotic bags, and this clasp really cinches the bag for me. The shape is also just perfect, with a little bit of slouch and a pinch of masculinity to balance the extravagance of anaconda. My only complaint would be that it doesn’t fit on the shoulder, but looking at the model carrying it, I would say it looks pretty cool handheld (if you’re stunning and six feet tall). I’ve also held it in front of a mirror and I’m a measly 5′5, so really, it works. The one thing I don’t like? The $4,540 price tag. If that doesn’t hinder you, get thee to your local Bottega and start asking away. To see more styles, check out Bottega Veneta’s website.

Bottega Veneta is automatically associated with lush and buttery soft leather. If you have not felt one of the gloriously designed Bottega bags, you need to do so immediately, you will just melt. Yet Bottega Veneta also is making an impact on the exotic world. Using fine croc skin, this Bottega Veneta Croc Messenger Bag is designed to be easy to carry and look stunning. There are two front pockets, one large and one small, and gold plaque detailing on the front. A zip top closure finishes this exotic off to a bag that is taller than it is wide. I am sure it costs a pretty penny. More info via Bottega Veneta online or your local BV retailer.

image via style.com

It truly is all about the accessories. Henry David Thoreau may have said “Simplify, simplify, simplify” but Megs at PurseBlog says “Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize”. You want to be posh in today’s world, then it is all about the accessories. Recently Vlad and I both indulged in new Bottega Veneta Key Rings, his a croc elephant and mine an ostrich pig, but now it is your turn if you have not done so yet. We are all about the animals here, being the big animal lovers that we are, and since I grew up by the water and swam my way through life, fish hold a special place in my heart. The Henry Cuir Fish Key Ring is designed with leather and accessorized with beaded detail. The eye is a little in-you-face, I would possibly take a needle and pop it off, but other than that it is cute. Available for the other fish lovers via Barneys for $125.

I loved the Bottega Veneta show. Beautiful dresses, beautiful dresses, and beautiful bags! Bottega is known for its classic designs, and the house tends to reinterpret and reproduce their simple, perfect bags every season. If they weren’t so gorgeous, I might gripe, but look at these. The soft crocodile clutch in red might be even more beautiful than the Ebano version I blogged about a few weeks back. The fold over clutch has now been lacquered with a superb but understated sheen. The ball bag has been redone with charming studs for a younger, funkier look. Finally, the exotic shoulder bag in that warm apricot color! I don’t know that I’ve seen this design before, but I am in love! Sigh…fashion week is such torture. It’ll be months before we get to see more pictures of these wonderful bags!

Pictures via Style.com and blog post via The Shopping Nerd!

Growing up my parents had a hard time understanding where I developed my handbag loving roots from. My mom and dad were both the practical parents, stating that a bag is merely something that holds things. WHAT on Earth were they talking about?! All bags are not the same I thought to myself. I vowed to change their views on handbags, one designer bag at a time. I started small and worked my way up. Three years ago I stepped foot into Bottega Veneta Munich, and it was over. If you are looking for supple, you go to BV. I am on the hunt for a divine summer bag to be worn often and to make a statement. I have decided it will be a Bottega Veneta handbag, it is time I add another to my list. All of my attention is given to the simple putty leather that is delicately woven together and accented with gold hardware on the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Shopper Handbag. Trust me, if you have not seen any of Bottega’s Spring/Summer 2007 line yet, you need to check it out. From blush pinks, ivory, white, and a huge array of colors, there is so much to offer. I love this shopper because of the adjustable straps (looks as if it may be long enough to wear cross body) and the size, W16.5, H10, D6. There is also a small padlock fastening and a woven tab closure. My mom doesn’t know it yet, but she will be head over heels for this bag and we will just refrain from showing my practical mother the price tag; $2650 via Net A Porter.

Alas, the weather was half way on my side and I made it back to Ohio. I am not positively sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, seeing that the snow keeps falling and the snow on the ground is half ice, half black disgusting slush. This is where UGG’s come in handy. They can get dirty but they go far enough up my leg not to ruin my jeans (yep, I am a tucker!!). Giving me a smile from ear to ear is this feminine Bottega Veneta Canvas Shopper that is awaiting to be held on your arm as an everyday bag for spring and summer. For a pink canvas handbag, this may seem a bit pricey, but if you have ever experienced the beauty and craftsmanship that is Bottega Veneta, you will understand why so many can justify buying this bag. The handles feature supple braided leather and gold hardware. A nifty way to close the bag are the press stud fastenings on each side to pull the bag together, but are also easy to open. I must admit, I have a crush on a bag that is merely canvas yet appealing on a subtle level. Via Net-A-Porter for $720.