Clutches

First and foremost I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day Weekend! I sure did. My family all flew down to Ft. Lauderdale to see our mom and spend time with my graduating brothers. And by graduating I mean one from High School and the other from grade school- yep, they are the babies! After an amazing mini-vacation, it is back to reality. All of you are aware of my deep love of clutches. The Agnes & Hoss Cape Seaweed Clutch has every exquisite piece that combines to make an irresistible clutch. The clutch is trimmed with Italian leather, closes with a shiny polished silver turnlock, shows off supple suede lining, and measures 13 x 4.75 x 1.75. The outside of the clutch must be the cape seaweed pattern with the floral like appeal on posh silk fabric. For the modern chic lady, buy this clutch through 2modern for $196.

Many people don’t know a lot about me, even my friends. Many don’t assume that I could ever be a good cook, but amazingly I actually am (it’s just the cleaning up after that I’m not fond of). Along with being a good cook, I used to be musically inclined. My mom was big on all of us playing some sort of instrument, so we all started with piano quite young. Don’t tell my teacher, but I never actually read the music. I just played by memory. And then in grade school I became part of an Orchestra and started playing the string bass and violin. Amazing also eh? I bet most of you didn’t even know that about me! (Well duh!). So for any of the other musically inclined ladies who love a clutch that makes a statement and has a lot of bling, Judith Leiber is the designer for you. The Judith Leiber Violin Minaudiere is a violin look alike clutch with a golden frame and made with perfectly colored Austrian crystals. I actually would just love the matching pill box, although it is not sold-separate. This novelty closes with a push-lock closure and measures 3 1/2″H x 7 1/2″W x 2 1/5″D. Ornate bling on the verge of gaudiness in my eyes- but still able to be pulled off for a night out or a red carpet event this clutch is available through Bergdorf Goodman for $3,895.

With a new season comes new materials. One of the new “it” materials that does not really do it for me is patent leather. It just happens to usually look cheap to me and remind me of some weird bedroom outfits (if you know what I mean). But the fact that big name designers are using it must mean there is some demand there. The Valentino Patent Bow Clutch is made of shiny black patent leather and shows off a large gathered bow detail on the front. While I know it isn’t the case this clutch looks like it was made of left-over rain coat or a naughty-police lady’s outfit. The bag is not for me but someone out there may love it. Buy it through Bergdorf Goodman for $980.

I am the Queen of Clutches. Not technically, but I am a lover of clutches- which you all know by now. Breaking into the world of bags is Hayden Harnett, a brand I have talked about before. For a quirky cool clutch check out the Hayden Harnett Washed Leather Belt Handled Clutch. This clutch is not only small and practical but unique and bold. The top part of the clutch is so intriguing and different. There is an oversize belted handle and a really funky leather strap with large clip attachment at the top of the clutch. On the inside there is twill lining and pockets for the most necessary goodies any tech diva should have, a cellie and an iPod. This clutch designed of soft garment-washed leather is different and striking. Something about the iznik yellow draws me in. Buy it through Hayden Harnett for $253.

Do you remember being dressed in ribbons and bows? I know it was the mom thing to do to her daughter. There was a time in the 80’s when big bows were in style. That was then. Now bows come and go but are not a huge trend. While the big bow is not always my thing, I have fallen head over heels in love with this Be & D Python Clutch. All of you may recall that I adore clutches and I am one of ‘those’ python loving girls. This clutch is impeccably made with rich and bold crimson python and has a front flap with an oversized bow. This bow is over the top and is very large, but there is nothing more I would like to hold in my hand than this lovely clutch right now. Finished off with tarnished silver metal stud trimming, Be & D has made a clutch that my heart beats for. Overall the clutch measures 5 1/2″H x 10″W x 1″D. While it is not cheap at all, Bergdorf Goodman better start taking the $1/day payment plan because I am in love. Available via pre-order for $3,200 at Bergdorf Goodman.

First and foremost let me apologize to all of you for the lack of updates and my somewhat dissappearance from the forum and blog. Not only have we been working on a huge server move, but I am also sick and can’t seem to kick it. Yikes. But I am still here and still want you all to know that! Also too, if you have sent me an email in the past few weeks (yikes even months) there seems to be some mail mixups! I will be trying to fix all of that and answer those emails ASAP. Let’s all give Vlad a big round of applause for keeping the site running great and having it make a nice transition in the server move. Now, if only I can start to feel better and catch back up. But I really have missed you all!

For a little bit of clutch fun with some spring and summer colors, let’s give our Saturday afternoon attention to the Rafe New York Recoleta Flap Clutch. Striking and attention grabbing, this clutch is designed from aqua pearlized leather whith hand whipstich details and gold metallic floral appliques. For those of you who can’t make up your mind when carrying a clutch if you’d like a strap or not, this aqua clutch comes with single drop-in shoulder chain which can be taken out quickly to turn the clutch into a shoulder bag (8″ drop). There is antiqued brass tonal hardware which shows off this clutch perfectly, along with a top flap that closes with a magnectic snap. The dimensions are 8″ wide x 1/2″ deep x 4 3/4″ high and on the inside you will find a zip pocket. The clutch is different but cute in its own way. Buy it via Zappos for $201.95.

Any of you fans of Austin Powers Goldmember? The movies were so silly but my family always had a good laugh. The line that always resonated in my memory was “I love Goooooooollllllllddddd!!” So for all of you gold lovers, there is a clutch that may just be for you. The Oscar de la Renta Sequined Clutch will make you radiate. Designed from metallic gold satin, this clutch gives off an animal feel with its snake-patterned sequins. Showing off a framed top with a golden hardware push-lock clasp, the clutch is perfect for playing dress up. The clutch is the perfect size to not only accent your outfit but also your hand, 5 1/2″H x 12″W x 1″D, and can be purchased through Bergdorf Goodman for $1275.

Expensive or not, I am a sucker for exotics. I never quite realized that not every part of the country (and the world for that matter) had lizards. I can still vividly remember my brothers catching lizards and hanging them from their ears. Sounds crazy, I know, but it surely did happen and it was the cool thing to do if you were a boy in Florida. While this clutch is not made from the ear-hanging lizards I grew up around, it is made from a karung lizard. The Fendi Karung Borderline Clutch intertwines black and grey karung lizard leather which is offset by bronze leather piping. While Noriko says that she has mixed feelings about the clutch, I find my feelings to be going towards a total Yay. The bag is an exotic beauty. The structured shape is closes with a clasp of granular golden metal with a double F pattern and crystal encrusted silver metal. That may sound over the top, but it really is not. On the inside there is divine sea green satin lining with a patch pocket. Noriko, I think you should jump off the not so sure line to the sure side for this clutch! I love it! The dimensions are 8″ x 4.25″ x 1.75″ and this clutch can be purchased for an overly exorbitant price of $2480 through eLuxury.

The holidays mean presents and parties. Ok they mean quite a bit more, but those are two of my favorite parts. I love dressing up for holiday parties, even if it is with the boss or with my parents friends. We all know that a simple clutch is a must for many occasions. I am quite the lover of clutches and stand by the fact that I truly believe they complete many outfits. If you are looking for simply simple but totally elegant, let me introduce you to the VBH Small Python Clutch. With the signature VBH envelope style which is intricately made from shiny python, this clutch makes my heart melt a little bit. The clutch is pulled together with rhodium-finished hardware. On the inside you will find tonal kid suede lining. I can’t help but love this clutch. Also, I can’t help but keep this clutch on my wishlist until I have a little extra holiday money to splurge on a much needed beautiful clutch like this. If you want to make me jealous, buy it through Bergdorf Goodman for $890 (Sorry to my Californians! This clutch is not available to you)

Many of you may have realized that I sure do have a thing for clutches. I can’t get enough. Because spring is in the air (it really is not, but let’s all pretend), Versace has presented us with florals to warm up our hearts. The Versace Orchid and Shell Print Clutch is edgy, fun, and daring. With a fuchsia polka dot pattern as the background, this clutch is dazzled with vibrant colored orchids and swirly shell patterns and is trimmed in natural cowhide. Now remember, this bag is making it into the resort collection. So when we all venture out from hibernation, we can graciously carry this bag in the sun and sand. The clutch has a wooden frame with wicker trim which further shows off some island flair. The perfect finishing touches are added to the clutch; a cowhide belt that closes over the frame, and a lucite-and-gold-metal Versace medallion on a rope which dangles from the side of the clutch. Open this flower powered clutch up to find a fuchsia satin interior with an inside zipped pocket. Don’t be fooled, this is no small clutch. This is one big bag, measuring up at 14.2″ x 8.3″ x 2.4″. If you dare to prepare yourself for spring, do it in style. Grab this clutch through eLuxury for $1260.