Designers Handbags

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.