Hobos

Never thought I would like to sit on a plane with a landing gear problem. But this time, fate actually gave me the right cards to play with, causing a one day delay for my flight back to Germany and enabling me to stay for one more day with the one I love. Score!!! Let’s hope today’s ride will not be malfunctioning on me, I think I’ve used up a good portion of my good luck yesterday…

I’m sure you’ve been to a museum before and stood in front of a painting, a very influencial piece of “art” that makes you wonder just what the painter was on when he spewed that crap on the canvas. And even moreso, you wonder just what the heck it’s supposed to depict. Personally, I don’t see jack in abstraction, ever. Neither do I know what Emilio Pucci was thinking when he designed this Printed Nylon Hobo. I like the shape, very cute, but the print is just too abstract for my taste. The hobo is adorned with silver metal hardware and has an adjustable black leather shoulder strap to hold on to. If the unique print floats your boat, you can pre-order this italian bag for $235 through Neiman Marcus.

Another pearl that we stumbled upon in the Bal Harbour Gucci store was the Gucci Medium Hobo that had just been released to the public eye and isn’t even available on their official site yet. The shape accords the pictured fuchsia ostrich hobo, the material was different. Its leather was entirely covered with their new horsebit emboss and came in either a darker brown shade or more of a burgundy red. Completed was the gorgeous $1080 hobo with single strap, zip-top closure, bamboo ring details, bamboo ornament zipper pull, embossed Gucci script logo on strap, studs, and an inside zip pocket. Megs fell in love immediately, but had to pull out of a possible impulse buy once reality settled back in. We will try to hunt down a picture of the gorgeous leather and report on it later. In the meanwhile, I would really recommend the pictured Gucci Ostrich Hobo. The bag is currently on sale from almost $4k down to $2,300 and available directly through Gucci. I got a little touchy with the bag and was positively surprised about the supple and soft appeal of the quality ostrich leather. If you dig pink and have a thing for feathered bird leather, grab it while it’s hot!

Ever since I bought my mom the Gucci Large Horsebit Hobo for Mother’s Day, I’ve been contemplating if I should be an Indian-giver and take it back. I simply love that bag. More of an obsession I have with it really. And now Be&D, one of the hippest new brands, has designed the trendy shaped hobo style bag to add to their already growing popular handbag line. The bag reminds me of the same shape, style, and size of the Gucci Horsebit Hobo, but adds its own flare. I truly believe that Be&D gives off a young and in vogue vibe for any fashionista out there.

This bag makes me melt. It is to die for. The Be&D Crawford Hobo is made of a sumptuous sand colored deerskin. The cognac leather shoulder manifests the signature studs of Be&D in gold. Other features of the hobo are the open top, slouchy body, exquisite suede lining, and inside cell-phone pocket. Like I said this is a large hobo and measures 14 1/2″H x 18″W x 4 1/2″D. If anyone (like my significant other, cough cough) wants to make me the happiest girl alive, feel free to surprise me with this bag. Or if you want to make me extremely jealous buy it for yourself (you overly-selfish person!!) at Bergdorf Goodman for $995.

Jimmy Choo’s Fall 05 line brings us two gorgeous pewter leather bags that make our eyes want to munch them whole, as they are pure eye candy! The Jimmy Choo Grommet Hobo (left) is made fully of quality bronze pewter metallic leather and golden hardware. Floral cutouts and grommets adorne the canvas while the shoulder strap is inset with metal rings. The top is open and is covered with an extended tab with a logo keeper. Buckled straps around the sides and base of the hobo complete the chic hobo bag. The Italian made bag can be pre-ordered at Bergdorf Goodman for $1,350. Similarly, the Jimmy Choo Grommet Flap Bag comes with the same features, though features a closed top and appears to be slightly larger. The price is higher, too – for $1,900 you can call one of them your own. However, you will have to be patient, as they will start to ship towards the end of September of this year.

I’ve always been the little girl who loved army print. My brother had an entire Army outfit, from boots to hat, and would run around the house chasing me and ultimately putting me in prison. That sucked. But especially now, while we are at war, sporting Army print shows your support and love for our country. No matter what you think about the war, you have to know that these men and women there now need all the support we can give them. So I figured, for this Memorial Day, why not show-off some love for our country and the men and women that have and still are serving.

Today is also a dedication to my friend Phil. Phil is a good friend of mine who served our country and fought in Iraq. He was lucky enough to not only do well while there, but come home safe to his friends and family. Since I have been promising him a shout out on my site, I figured today would be a dedication to him and his fellow friends in the service. Phil has told me many stories, showed me many pictures, and deserves much respect and accolades for what he and all the others serving have done for us. I am sure many of you reader’s know someone who has or is still serving our country, so feel free to thank them and wish them luck in our comment section.

For starters, why not show off your red, white and blue via a Rolfs American Flag Novelty Coin Purse. This purse is made of leather with a star shaped zipper puller, back pocket and a keychain. For $15 at Rolfs, this purse to show your support to our country is the perfect little accessory.

Now I am getting to the fun part, because camouflage is really my thing. Let’s face it girls, a man in camouflage just makes you smile. Uniform is always nice (especially when it’s not your Catholic school uniform from grade school- ugh). Like I said before I have always been a fan of the army camo and I have fallen in more than love with these MZ Wallace bags. These bags are not just any bags; they are posh designer bags that sport love for our country on a beautifully designed bag. In their spring 2005 chain collection, MZ Wallace features three camo patterned bags: the Carlyle, the Roma, and the New York Tote. I want to focus on the Roma because I believe for any girl it is the perfect bag to show support and love of our country without being too over the top for many women. This bag is a classic handbag shape made with a pale desert camouflage quilted nylon canvas. The bag features a chain handle and is trimmed in Italian pebble grain leather. Other perks to the bag are the flap with swivel clip closure, large inside zipper pocket, cell phone pocket plus two additional multi-purpose pockets. And the coolest part is that this bag is water and stain resistant, which is good for any woman, because face it girls, we aren’t perfect. This MZ Wallace Roma costs $240, but is well worth each and every dollar of the price.

Aleya Handbags has given us the Rich Girls collection, camouflage satchels with metallic bronze trims. This kind of made me laugh a bit to have it be called the Rich Girls collection, but then again upon further inspection the bags were named the Nicole, Jessica, and Paris respectively. Actually really cool when you think about it; these well known girls have been given names on a line of camo bags. My favorite is the The Nicole Hobo in Camouflage. The Nicole Hobo is made of nylon canvas camouflage trimmed in bronze metallic leather and featuring luxurious gold hardware. This bag is able to sit comfortably on your shoulder and measures 18″ wide at the base and 10 1/2″ at center with bag closed and a depth of 5″. You can buy any of the Rich Girls collection online at Aleya, the Nicole Hobo in Camouflage is $200.

Did you all miss me?? I must apologize right away for two things: my absence (life has been hectic), and my “better”-half’s writing, including the infamous Pussy Purse and the Tano Bondage Bag. Although it was me who found the “Pussy Purse”, I gave in and let my man write about it, which was just a bad idea. Just kidding! Therefore I am welcoming myself back to my beloved blog, welcome back me! So onto the bags!

What better way to start the week off than a feature on bags under $100?? Even better, all of these bags are under $60. Amazing. I know if many of you are like myself, you lust for designer bags, but let’s face it, we can not all afford to do that. So for you girls who are on a budget but still want a new look for the summer, why not check out these stylish and money friendly bags.

Let’s begin super cheap, as in much cheaper than most meals cost me when I eat out. Try under $20. The O’Neill Right Stripes Tote to me seems perfect for summer. With all the color and the striped pattern, the tote is simply cute. Now I know this is no Gucci supple lambskin, but cotton will do for everyday use. By featuring wood ring handles with the name “O’Neill” screened in white on top, the bag adds a little more fun to the overall appeal. The tote measures approx 8″ x 12″ and costs a mere $19.50 at PacSun.

And for a little more dress up look, Gap is really rubbing me the right way. Evening bags are expensive. Because I always had to go to so many black and white tie affairs, I fully understand the importance of evening bags. When I was younger I lucked out of course because my parents bought me the evening bags, but now I fully understand the gravity of the hefty price tag on a working girl. Why I love this Gap Ruffle Shoulder Bag is because it really could be dressed up or dressed down. The black color could easily be used for a fancier night out, and the Rubia screams out flirty fun. Featuring lightweight sheer tiered ruffles, a chain strap, a tassel zipper pull, and an attached flower, this bag has it all for $29.50 at Gap.

Let me refresh your memory. Remember back to the LC Laguna Beach Handbag I featured quite some time ago (Lolli by Reincarnation Bag)? A very similar style bag for a fraction of the price was designed by Melie Bianco. Melie Bianco has pulled through again, with her Ethnic Hobo in Mint. I totally dig it. Although many of you may not love Nicole Richie, she was seen wearing this bag and I want to nab that style oh so badly! What made me more than happy was to see the bag she was carrying (or at least a near identical one) is available for $58. I’m lovin’ it!! This is an ethnic inspired tribal bag made from soft leather like material (I’m assuming pleather) that is accented with unique stitching and appliqués. The inside is lined in nylon and has a zippered pocket and cell phone pocket and sports a magnetic closure. Don’t be fooled, this is a big bag, measuring in at 17″ x 20″ x 3.5″, which means all of your goodies will fit in it perfectly. To sum it up for only $58 this bag can be yours at About Attitude.

Let’s venture back to a small bag, the Coco Half Flap by Guess. When Paris Hilton became the new Guess girl, I was a little turned off by them, but I have to admit their bags are worth the price and are actually adorable. I’m not a huge fan of the logos, but this bag caught my eye and kept my eye looking for quite some time. The Coco Half Flap measures 2″ X 4 1/2″ X 1 1/2″ in size and is a retro-inspired paisley print canvas bag accented with metallic trim. The adorable shoulder strap made from antiqued bronze finished chain link, with metallic top and ring hardware. The bag also has a zip pocket in both the front and back and one on the interior. If I were to wear this bag, I would wear it like it cost me a fortune since it looks that elegant, rather than the mere price $55 at Guess. What a steal!

To end the special on bags under $100, I can’t pass up the JCrew Embroidered Sea Horse Straw bag. I love living on the beach but get annoyed to find a cute beach bag (I was dying for the Prada Canvas Tote but let better-half talk me out the expensive purchase). This beach bag is a corn-husk basket with leather handles and tie closure made with cotton twill lining. It also has an inside pocket and of course the outside Sea Horse straw embroidery. Sizing in at 12″H x 25″W at top, 10 1/2″W at base x 7″D, this is my beach tote pick for summer for $48 from JCrew.

I think we can all agree that a spacious shoulder bag in natural colors is an absolute essential accessory that no woman should miss in her closet. Not only can it be (ab)used for all your daily matters, but also fits just about anything you happen to wear, whether it’d be casual, elegant or sporty.
For a mere $150, the Gianfranco Ferre Hobo Bag provides italian craftmanship and quality for less. The shoulder bag is made of beige canvas and caramel color leather trim. Its front pocket opens with a snap, inside two small extra pockets for small objects. It comes along with a signature dust bag.

Via Forzieri.

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.:)

I am not sure if this hobo will make you feel like a superstar, but it sure looks like one might wear it! Glamorous accents in form of golden metal chains and dangling charms adorn the Juicy Couture Superstar Charm Hobo, including a pave filled heart, a lucky horseshoe and a Juicy signature ‘J’. The shoulder strap features a chain insets, and the zip top comes with the solid signature “J” pull tab that we all love. In addition, the hobo sports a leather ‘J’ heart tag. There’s also an inside zippered compartment and a cell phone pocket. The hobo goes for $295 and includes a Juicy Couture logo dust bag. The dimensions: 14″W x 6.5″H x 2.5″D. Order it at Adasa.

The name alone might suggest you’re dealing with a devastating paladin retribution spell straight out of some MMOPRG, but in fact it’s one of the must-have bags of the fall season. The Isabella Fiore Whip Flash Audra is made from pebbled semi-shiny Italian leather with whipstitch detail and stud hardware. Designers Jennifer Tash and Trang Huynh originally created the bag for celebrities only, but popular demand forced them to incorporate it into Fiore’s fall collection. As soon as photos of Katie Holmes (with Tom Cruise, of course – duh) surfaced with her clutching this beauty in Rome, the glamorous rest of Hollywood’s ingénues could not escape the hype. Kate Bosworth and Salma Hayek both ordered theirs just last week, while Mena Suvari and Alyssa Milano have already scored their own. In best designer bag manner, there is a waiting list and it is longer than the list of females jealous over Katie’s new lover. The price for he Audra ranges around $380, and will be available in September at Saks Fifth, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

P.S. The purse can be pre-ordered at Adasa – thanks Jared.