Hobos

Ok so most of you did not like the Fendi atrocity of yesterday. I am still having the hardest time wondering how a bag like that can carry a price tag like that. I realize that many of us drool over expensive bags daily and would (and do) buy some of them, but that Fendi Bag du Jour with Crown Embroidery will never make it on my list. So with that bitter taste in our mouth, let’s see if this Fendi bag redeems the new spring line.

I want to hear from all of you if this bag is a Yay or a Nay. The Fendi Selleria Hobo gives off a modern vibe with its logo-buckle woven ribbon and the Fendi plaque engraved with your bag’s unique ID number. Kind of a cool option if you ask me. This way if you pass someone on the street carrying this bag, you can compare your ID numbers and know that your bag is distinctly different for a reason. Designed from Selleria leather with a beautiful natural pebbled finish and solid nickel hardware, this hobo looks a little like a vault that you will try to enter- with an ‘X’ that marks the spot. On the inside you will find linen lining and a zipped pocket. The bags dimensions are 13″ x 9″ x 2.5″. I’m not going to tell you exactly what I think yet (as in yes or no for me) because I want to hear what you think. Available via eLuxury for $1430. So ladies and gents, what is it; Yay or Nay?

Bringing a little more subtle shine to our day is the Kooba Chiara Metallic Leather Hobo. Not all of us are into gold, but many of us may dig the bronze look. I for one have learned to love both gold and bronze, but then again when these colors are on a bag it all depends. The metallic Chiara bag is stylishly made from bronze tumbled cowhide Italian leather and features antiqued brass rivets on the body. From the body stems the shoulder strap and under the strap you will find a zip top closure. The inside is lined in forest green suede, which will compliment the metallic bronze leather. Also, there is an inside zip pocket and two cell phone pockets. Measuring 8 1/2″H x 16″W x 5″D this bronze bag could compliment many outfits and bring a little shine to your wardrobe and day. Buy it via Bergdorf Goodman for $525.

For those of you who celebrated Christmas yesterday, I hope it was a good one. Santa thought I was a nice girl this year so I am smiling. And Vlad must have thought I was really nice this year too, because he treated me with a beautiful Dior wallet!! (pics to come ). For those of you who got some money to spend, why not jump right into the search for a perfect bag (or for those of you who have yet to celebrate this holiday season). For those of you who love the classic check pattern of Burberry, but also love some simplicity, the Burberry Leather Hobo Bag is quite appealing. This bag shows off a small check trim which lines the leather hobo bag. The bag is available in black, white, and cognac. Personally, I really like all three options. The simplicity of this bag is pulled together with a leather tab with a snap and button closure. Keepin’ it classy as usually, Burberry uses brass hardware to accent this bag. On the inside you will find a zip pocket and canvas lining and a cell phone pocket. This bag is not too big, not too small: 10″ x 8″ x 3″. I do wonder how the bag will fit under your arm and hang, because we all know we don’t want some good looking awkward fitting bag under our arm. But I do know that this Burberry handbag is a classy option if you are looking for a practical leather bag. Spend that money you just got via Burberry for $650.

While I have never been the biggest fan of Fiore, I have liked a bag or two from time to time. Recently while I was shopping I saw some women drooling over the Studded Messenger Bag which I found overpowering and not my style at all. It is kind of funny how style works out from person to person. While they continued to try on what I consider to be quite the ugly bag, I turned my attention to the rest of the Fiore bags. To my surprise, I joined the ladies gawking at that studded thing and started gawking at the Isabella Fiore Studded Hobo. The hobo shape fits my style perfectly and the studding is just enough without being too much. Available in brown or green leather (do you want an everyday bag or a bag with a little flair?), this bag is funky but could easily be pulled off by many types. The bag is accented in antiqued golden hardware, shows off bold studded and scallped trim, and has front zipper pockets that are on an angle. Although I had a bit of a bad vibe about the Fiore stash at Neimans, I found myself standing next to the studded loving women trying on this bag. Buy it via Neiman Marcus for $795.

Yes, I know- I’ve been slow this week. Let’s just all tell Vlad thanks because he has been such a great guy keeping up with this for me while I’ve dealt with some other issues. Back to business with nothing other than a bag and show combo. Cunningly cute I’d say! I really think that a matching combo is many times a big plus (although sometimes in the logo department it seems like a bit much for me). So who wants to match a beautiful Miu Miu bag and pair of shoes? Me, me, me!!

The Miu Miu Buffalo Stone Hobo & Platform Slide duo is sure to make you do a double take. Let’s go to the bag first, which of course caught my eye first. The Miu Miu Buffalo Stone Hobo brings in a little ethnic flair with its blue buffalo stones and golden studs. Whether you opt for the dark brown or white leather, I’d say you are going to make a good impression either way. There is a detachable shoulder strap which somewhat boggles my mind because why would you take it off? Yea, you wouldn’t, but the rings add a little extra fun. There is a drawstring top with an adjustable strap and the Miu Miu logo on the front. This bag has caught my eye and I’m thinking some of you may like it too! But do you like the white or brown better? Gimme’ the white If this hobo suits you, buy it through Neiman Marcus for $810.

And for all of you ladies who love shoes, who doesn’t?, the matching slides may get you quite happy. The matching Miu Miu Platform Slide could make your little tootsies quite happy (in the spring of course!) Made with white leather and showing off gold studs, these slides have me wanting to buy a matching set right now. For an even cuter feminine touch there is a white leather bow right on the top of the slide. Now, although a 3 3/5″ stacked heel is not huge, it is too big for me. I’d rather not tower over Vlad, or everyone else for that matter! The sole is a wood platform sole. Nab these for $295 through Neiman Marcus.

While we all are in the search for a perfect bag, I have began to realize more and more that each of us is different. I may find a certain bag completely irresistible, while others may somewhat gag and turn their heads. It is nice to know we all do have our own sense of style and we all are confident in that. If not, keep working on it- you will find the real you out there. For a different feel I have found the DKNY Snake Trim Nappa Hobo. It is different. Not fully my taste, but maybe some of you like it. This hobo is quite glitzy with its three shades of metallic leather snake (some is embossed leather and some is just leather though) that come together in a glamorous pattern. Exotic looks and metallics are still “in” so this bag may meet your fancy. the outside of the bag is made of black Nappa leather. There are polished silver metal studs and round links that come together along with the braided leather should strap which give a fun touch. On the inside you will find twill lining and a zipped pocket. This hobo measures 14″ x 14″ (sides), 6″ (center) x 3.5″ (at widest) and is available through eLuxury for $265.

After years of annoying me about learning to snowboard, a group of my best friends have talked me into buying gear and learning to board. Not that I don’t want to. But the thought of spending so much time on my bum in the freezing cold snow is not enticing at all. Sadly enough, the enticing part is the gear I get to buy- coat, pants, hat, goggles, gloves, board. Yay! Just one more area to spend money. I probably will care more to match all my gear than to actually learn the sport. I can see it now… I wake up and do my hair, put on all my matching gear, and go down to the lodge by the fire- look around- and decide I am the best damned dressed boarder of them all. Unfortunately, that will get me no where on the slopes.

So while I think ahead to my near future days of boarding, I started to think that I may need a cute bag to go along with my experience (yes, another excuse to buy a bag). When I imagine myself at a Ski Lodge this winter, I see myself carrying the new Coach Soho Large Ski Hobo. Although white is so hard to keep sparkling clean, I still would opt for the white hobo which is trimmed in light and soft rabbit fur. The rest of the bag is made from quilted Signature fabric and has a posh tab with magnetic snap and dogleash closure. Once you open up this beauty, you will find fabric lining, a zip pocket, and a multi-function pocket. Dimensions are 15 1/4″ for the strap and 14 1/4 (L) x 12 1/4 (H) overall. Don’t be fooled, this is quite the big bag. If you want to look posh on the slopes (rather in the lodge), buy this bag in black, brown, or white for $498 via Coach.

Do any of you have blonde moments in life? I know that even if I were not blonde, I would still have these moments all the time. When I first was introduced to Yves Saint Laurent, I remember one thing that was oh-so-blonde (I will call it blonde, it was probably just naive). I pronounced the company name completely wrong, I mean completely wrong. Have you ever done that? And then realize later what a fool you must have looked like. I only knew names like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, but Yves was new to me at the time (I think I was around 15 or 16). With time I have not only learned how to pronounce the name of their company, but I have also learned to love many of their bags. For spring, they sure have one bag that is just making me want to take it home and admire it day and night.

The Yves Saint Laurent Embroidered Linen Hobo screams out spring with its use of linen fabric and chocolate floral appliqués, beading, and embroidery. This bag nearly has a vintage feel to it. To add more beauty to this bag, golden hardware and the YSL signature horn shoulder strap with rings are added to the bag. With such a creamy and divine feeling to it, I’m going to hope that someone decides to bring some Holiday cheer to me early on with a simple card that says, “I got you this bag because you are the most beautiful, smart, funny, lady I know!” Umm Mom, that sounds like something you would say, so would you please just do that for me too? Finished off with an open top snap closure my future bag will be ready for shipping 1/20/2006. Ok mom, you have plenty of time- and I won’t even be mad if I get an intangible gift come Christmas morning. For any of you who are also head-over-heels in love or you are my mom, pre-order this bag via Bergdorf Goodman for $1995.

The name sounded cool enough to look into the bag. The bag just isn’t making me all that excited. Lesson learned: a good name can attract customers. A beautiful named not so hot bag will not necessarily generate purchases. Hence, we need a beautiful named beautiful bag to really lure us in. The spring Prada Tie-Dyed Hobo seemed cool enough but is a little weird for my liking. I am drawn in to the tan/beige ombré tie-dye pattern with its brown leather trim. After that point, the rest of the bag seems to be trying so hard to stand out; that I’d rather it stepped down. For some reason the woven shoulder strap just reminds me of rope from a boat. I actually would have preferred a leather strap with maybe some stud or grommet detailing on it. And then the Prada logo is surrounded by passementerie details. Looks more like a nifty dusting piece. Overall I’m not really into this bag (maybe even if I snipped off the passementerie details I would like it a bit more). Expected to ship right after the New Year, 1/09/2006, this bag is on pre-order via Neiman Marcus for $680.

Green is the color of life and growth. Actually, I think my older sister tried to corrupt my mind when I was younger and tell me it was the color of something else… I won’t mention it unless any of you do! I must admit I don’t think I have ever owned a green bag. Well maybe I have. But nothing recently. For many reasons, the Carlos Falchi Nubuck Tall Hobo is growing its greenness on me. This beautiful moss green colored hobo made from nubuck leather looks simply divine and supple. My favorite parts of this bag are the shoulder strap, buckle, and stitching. I am always looking for a bag that stands out. That is a bit out of the ordinary, which of course, helps me justify buying it. Let me start with the stitching on the bag. What I love is that the tonal leather topstitching down the sides is big and noticeable. Usually the topstitching is there but not chunky and in your face- and this bag stitches its way right in your face (yes, I did use the word chunky- yikes). Next we find the gorgeous tonal braided leather shoulder strap. It is nice to see that many designers are changing up shoulder straps for a little spice. Finally we are at the focal point, and my favorite part of this bag- the top flap and wooden buckle. If Mr. Carlos was looking to grab my attention, he sure did. This is how you draw people in. Not everyone may like this bold center piece, but being gutsy is more than worth a try. Actually, I remember another time when Mr. Carlos tried to be gutsy – I gagged. But this one, unlike the latter, is a sure hit. Overall the bag measures 14 1/2″H x 16″W x 2 1/4″D. Buy it for $675 via Neiman Marcus.