Handbags

Sometimes it is nice to see a designer spice up the world of purses and handbags. Luckily a Southern Italian woman decided to add total creativity and life to her new line of bags made in Italy. For starters the handmade Sogni D’Arte Orange Roses Appliqué Handbag. This is not your ordinary bag. I actually thought this bag was made to look like a pineapple, but I think I am mistaken. Either way, it truly is in its own league. Very feminine and creative, made by the little Italian woman with her own shop and brand called ‘Sogni d’Arte’ that means Art Dreams. The bag is made of cotton and shows off a striped yellow and lime pattern. To top it off like icing on the cake is the applique of beautiful synthetic orange little roses with leaves on the front. I still keep looking at it and thinking it looks like a pineapple. Any of you agree? Anyhow the purpose of the bag is to fit around the wrist and accent a cute outfit. For $59 the bag is flirty ingenious fun at Forzieri.

George, George, George of the jungle strong as he can be! Watch out for that handbag! (Quit laughing at me) I couldn’t help but need to add some sort of jungle song into this write up because this bag is just BANANAS! Just like the “pineapple” bag this Sogni D’Arte Handmade Green Leaves Appliqué Handbag is definetly the only one of its class. The bag is made of cotton and completely drenched by an applique of synthetic green leaves. I felt a little disappointed to know the back does not have the leaves, rather the back is striped in green. Darn. If the whole bag were saturated with handmade leaves I’d dig it even more! Just like the Orange Roses Appliqué Handbag, the Green Leaves Appliqué Handbag is made to be worn on the wrist. I am a little baffled at how to pull this bag off, but if any of you women are out there who can where whatever whenever, buy this bag at Forzieri for $95 and let me know!

“I simply cannot make myself write about it. I hate Fendi!!” That was Megs’ reaction when I suggested the Fendi Vanity for today. What a bold statement. According to the Lady, they look hideous and are overpriced. To me, Fendi is among the most recognized iconic fashion labels with decades of tradition in creating must-have items for the fashion elite. And the brown zucca and red leather Vanity handbag belongs to one of their master pieces. The brown zucca canvas with burgundy, red and metallic pink leather accents features a flap over top with a magnetic clasp and a hinged leather ornament on its front with geometric etched mirrored plate. The convertible handbag comes with a 29” removable metallic pink leather shoulder strap and standard top handle. Its insides reveal brown logo nylon lining with an interior patch pocket. Even better is that you can get this icon bag for over 30% off… it still clocks in at $1,132 though. Via BlueFly.

Do you remember grabbing tugging on your daddy’s pant leg when you were a little girl and crying and begging for a pony? If you just nodded your head all I can say is, “What a selfish brat!” Wait. Just kidding, I did it all the time. A pony among many other things. In fact, if you ever have the pleasure of meeting my wonderful father, don’t even ask him if I was a difficult child (because he would obviously say No, Duh!) Anyway, what does a pony have to do with anything you ask yourself. Well, as much as many of us ladies wanted a pony, we also should want a Saddle. The Dior Saddle Bag of course! Now this isn’t just any Dior Saddle Bag, this is the Dior Paris ’50’s Print Saddle Bag, and I can tell you I really really want it worse than I ever wanted a pony!

This bag not only a limited edition but also manifests a whimsical Parisian chic style, and shows off some of the most beautiful monuments and scenes in Paris through iconic sketches including Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, and of course, fashionable women. “Prettied up with canary yellow and lilac flowers, this artful take on the classic saddle is truly a piece to treasure.” I could not agree more. Of course this classy little number is trimmed and piped in smooth leather, has the focal point at the oversized polished silver metal “D” charm dangling from the top flap, and a leather shoulder strap with polished silver metal “CD” charms. All of which I adore. Back to the pony. When you begged your daddy for that pony you just had to have, the answer was usually no. I have a feeling I will get the same response again for the much loved saddle. The Dior Paris ’50’s Print Saddle bag could be a down payment for a pony; coming in at a hefty $1,015 via eLuxury.

Megs and I, we both *love* Coach. Reasons are several, the style, the colors, the price, the quality, and many more. Another aspect that strikes us positively is that they keep releasing mid-season styles for bags in their signature shapes. Recall the Valentine’s Day specials or the Soho line? The brand-spankin’ new Coach Patchwork Bags take a different approach. For all those gals who just can’t decide what they like better, calfskin, some metallic accents, swank suede, the new tie dye canvas or their signature fabric, Coach is now making the choice ridiculously easy by combining all of the mentioned in the Patchwork line. Awesome! I think it’s just absolutely fabulous, very sporty looking and perfect for the everyday business of yours. The tote on the very left is the Coach Signature Patchwork Shoulder Tote and weighs in at $378 through Coach directly. The Coach Signature Patchwork Wristlet is their patched up interpretation of the beloved classic and goes for a mere $78 bucks. Lastly, on the right, we gots the Signature Patchwork Demi, the mid-sized handbag by Coach for $198.

Verdict: We love ‘em all and can’t wait to get one for Lady Meggers! P.S. How would a matching Cruiser Hat look on me? Just kidding.

I don’t feel the writer in me much today, hence the late update. Sorry peeps, I blame it on the weather man. Still, not to be short of an update, I stumbled across some really cute handbags from a rather unknown bag designer, Vin Baker. Here are some of his new 2005 bags, as offered by Zappos.com.

Vin Baker Erin Too – Shoulder bag in distressed leather, single strap, silver tone hardware – $417 via Zappos

Vin Baker Kate Hobo – Large hobo shoulder bag of soft leather and tassle accents, silver tone hardware, magnetic flap closure – $466 via Zappos

Vin Baker Jill Distressed Shoulder Bag – Shoulder bag made of distressed metallic leather, slim 12″ drop shoulder strap and slim magnetic closure – $300 via Zappos

Vin Baker Shannon Croco Hobo – Croc embossed leather, silver hardware and interior leather lining with back wall and cell pockets – $480 via Zappos

To my best knowledge, the quality of these bags is pretty good but whether to drop pretty significant amounts on a less known brand bag is your choice. More of them here.:)

Time for a little history lesson. Grace Patricia Brendon was born in 1929 as the daughter to a successful business man. In 1949, she gave her Broadway debut and in ‘51 she had her first movie air in the cinemas. In 1955, she met His Serene Highness Rainier III, Sovereign Prince of Monaco and married him in a pomptuous ceremony on April 19th, 1956. Grace was better known as Princess Gracia Patricia of Monaco. Ringing a bell? Thought so. Despite her early and tragic death over 20 years ago, Grace Kelly’s influence of the fashion world is undeniable. Not only thanks to the iconic Hermes Kelly bag, her name is still very apparent. Today’s highlight, the emerald & turquoise Roberta di Camerino Bagonghi Bag, is a timeless precious piece that has always been a fashion symbol for women of the high society, just like Princess Grace of Monaco. Created in 1949, the form, function and elegance have not lost its touch over the years. The handbag is made in a special type of velvet with a unique sheen and feel. The velvet is so rare that they manufacture only about 30 feet per month. For this season, Roberta di Camerino revisited this model by using a new mix of colors with the classic Meridiana design in the center. You can own a piece of history for $963.00 via Forzieri of Florence, It. Also available in brown & salmon.

Yves Saint Laurent have created a fashionable and unique evening bag that will become your best friend on long nights out. The YSL Black Leather Handbag comes straight from their 2005 Mombasa line and exhibits pure elegance with its tapered shape. The bag is held in soft black leather, and has a flap over top that is secured with a magnetic snap closure. The pretty thing about the Mombasa bags are its handles. The handbag’s black wooden handle features an antiqued silver-tone stylized ‘YSL’ logo plate on top. I really like the silver and matte contrast of handle and leather. Outright fabulous. The inside is lined with black fabric and has a zip pocket for misc storage. The strap adjusts from approximately 15 to 23 inches in length. The 11 inches long X 7 inches tall X 4 inches deep handbag is reduced in price from over $1,100 to $609. Via Bluefly.

Epanoui is French for radiant, blooming, blossomed – Louis Vuitton could not have chosen a better name for this graceful clutch-sized handbag. This is how I love my LV, absolutely glamorous and sophisticated with breathtaking detail. The Louis Vuitton L’Epanoui PM is held in exquisite Suhali goat leather and shaped into an elegant shape that every true lady will adore. The high quality goat leather is a natural grain that does not undergo any chemical treatment, which guarantees an excellent balance between suppleness and durability. Golden brass hardware with a polished gilding finish tops off this graceful package. The inside sports textile lining of LV’s classic micro Monogram, along with a patch pocket. The 9.5″ x 5.5″ x 4″ blooming beauty goes for a hefty $2,280 through eLuxury, the premier carrier of Louis Vuitton accessories on the Web.

Growing up I always wanted to be a Playboy Bunny. Don’t laugh, I liked the outfits and wanted to be sexy. When I got older, I realized that was not the profession my parents had in mind for me, but their signature playboy bunny is known worldwide. If you are daring enough to carry a purse with the logo in public, try this cute little Pink Playboy Jacquard Frame Purse. This little purse features a funky playboy bunny monogram motif logo all over the outside and opens to reveal a luxury silky pink linning within. I’m not sure what they consider luxury, but I’m sure its alright. Nor do I know whether they are even allowed to print the trademark on the bag, but frankly I don’t care. For some fun, why not buy this little purse, or for halloween if your not daring enough to be seen on a “normal” day holding it. The purse size is 14 by 10 centimeters and costs £9.95 at kitsch.co.uk.

Sally sells seashells by the sea shore. The shells she sells are surely seashells. So if she sells shells on the seashore, I’m sure she sells seashore shells. I’m also sure that Lulu Guinness sells seashells, just not on the seashore, but in the boutique, and the seashells are wonderfully encrusted onto this Lulu Guinness Mini Shell Pouch. The whimsical pouchette is the work of one of Britain’s outstanding creative designers, and looks simply stunning. The small pouch features two large metal rings that are joined at the top, and goes for $395 through Lulu Guinness. Sally can call Lulu’s shop at 212-367-2120 if she ever runs desperate for seashells.