Meet the Designer

This morning while I was running errands I couldn’t help but notice it was very much, in fact, Valentine’s Day. I saw flowers, reds, pinks, chocolate, and most importantly, I saw love. Whether it was a young couple or an old couple, some friends or an entire family, everyone seemed to appreciate each other a tad more. Speaking of appreciation, CC Skye took some time to show how much she appreciates all things related to love. Just like when I had a chance to meet CC out in LA, her answers reflect her fun, fresh and amazing outlook on life and her brand. (PS – How cute are those pictures of CC and her boyfriend? Welcome to Purse Blog, David!)

Since you’ve told us before how much you love the beach, have you ever spent a Valentine’s Day on the beach, if so, tell us about it. Yes, good idea! Beach Valentine’s Day! Why haven’t I done that yet? Picnics are the best on the beach- great idea… I’ll forward my boyfriend this article! Even if you’re in cold weather, a surprise picnic on the floor of your house or apartment is super fun too!

What was your favorite Valentine’s Day gift ever? The best vals day gift I have ever received was the very 1st vals day I spent with my current boyfriend of 4 years.. We decided to stay in and he had cooked me lobster with champagne and caviar- my 3 faves.. Then he presented me with a small red basket containing all these little scrolls which he had tied himself with little red ribbons.. In opening one of the scrolls, I discovered that each one contained a memory about the past 6 mos of our relationship.. I was told to open one per day until they all were opened– it took a few months to get thru them all! They were all funny, yet romantic and so thoughtful to say the least.. I think all guys should do that one at least once.

Keep reading...

Happy Valentine’s Day! No matter what your plans are, make sure you spend time with the ones you love. Today we have a few more designers who have taken time to answer Valentine’s Day questions for us. Part owner and Creative Director, Toni Hacker of Hayden Harnett has brilliant answers. This really comes as no surprise, Hayden Harnett is after all brilliant brand!

What is your most memorable Valentine’s Day? The year that Ben whisked me away to Iceland…seriously life changing trip. He knows that I love volcanoes, thermal vents, tiny ponies, and exposed continental plates more than anything.

If you could be anywhere for Valentine’s Day where would it be? Back in the Hotel Borg in Iceland with Ben or at Machu Picchu.

Keep reading...

We are winding down our Valentine’s Day interviews. We hope that you’ve all enjoyed what we’ve had to bring as much as we’ve enjoyed providing the content for you! Today, we have some great answers from some great designers over at Treesje. Sheila Dardashti and Laura Darrah provided some Valentine’s Day insight for you to enjoy below.

What is your most memorable Valentine’s Day? The most memorable Valentines day we both can remember is our pre-children days. We took our husbands Chris and Page on an ultra lavish trip to Bali. Where we had candle lit dinners on the shore, Couple massage after a few bottles of wine (which we highly recommend), long days at Kuta beach and we top it off with a romantic stay in the Ubud rainforest.

Valentine’s Day, over-rated, over-hyped, or exactly as it should be and why? We both feel that Valentine’s Day is exactly as it should be as girls NEED to be spoiled by their honey’s!!

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day this year? Laura and I have dates with the new “loves” of our lives…sheila’s little Joelle ( 3 month) and laura’s little Hawkens (3 months)!!! Our husbands both have special days planned to spoil us!! As it is much needed…..we will keep you posted with the details!!!

What is the best Treesje gift for Valentine’s Day? Why? The best gift for Valentine’s day is the Asher in Fushia and the Hendrix in black shine…. These are laura and I favorite bags of the season. We love the texture of this ultra luxe shined lamb skin. Another bonus of these bags are that they are a perfect combination of casual and edgy bag that can be worn from day to night.

We continue to have the pleasure of meeting some of our favorite designers, designers that I have always admired and looked up to. Meeting Be and Steve of Be&D was a total treat. The duo are inherently different yet compliment each other wonderfully. And because just one interview was not enough, we are able to share another fun read with you! Both Be and Steve from Be and D let us in on some of their Valentine’s Day traditions, thoughts, and wants.

From Be Inthavong, Co-Founder/Designer Be & D

Valentine’s Day, worth the hype or overrated? I think Valentine’s day should be viewed like any other holiday. Do we really need a designated day out of the year to remind us to love our parents, to exchange gifts, to be thankful, and to love? I think any designated day to anything wonderful is worth it!

Your favorite part about Valentine’s Day as a child: I loved buying Valentine’s day cards and passing them out in class. But when I was younger, I had just moved to America and spoke no word of English. I would pass out birthday cards and get well cards to my classmates for Valentine’s Day! I was glad the teacher didn’t call me out on it!

Your favorite part about Valentine’s Day as an adult: I’m such a hopeless romantic sucker. I love to make plans to go out and celebrate. I love dressing up, having dinner at a nice place, having drinks at a cozy bar, and all the romantic things I could think of.

Read the full interview...

For all of you who follow celebs and handbags as much as we do, you’ve noticed that Gustto handbags are making their way to the forefront of many magazines. I feel like more times than not, I turn my head and I see a celeb carrying a Gustto handbag. I was lucky enough to meet with some of the Gustto staff a couple months ago back in San Diego and I can’t wait to continue to bring you great news about Gustto – I am sure you’ll be as happy as I am! Gearing up to that, check out the great Valentine’s Day answers Agathe, the Creative Director and President of Gustto had to share with us!

Being from France, are there different traditions when it comes to Valentine’s Day there than here? Valentine’s Day is, universally, about “l’amour” – spending time with the person you love. Traditions are the same in France, and with the French in America! One tradition my husband and I have is to wake up together and have breakfast in bed – we like croissants and fresh-squeezed orange juice, sometimes a mimosa! We also make that day our own; we turn off our Blackberries and just make the day about us.

Click here to keep reading...

Sometimes I have a hard time keeping surprises secret. I find myself getting so excited that I want everyone to know what’s in store right away! The founder and creative director of Belen Echandia, Jackie Cawthra, and I have been working on a fabulous opportunity for Purse Blog and Purse Forum readers. So, although I want to spill it right now, I’m gonna keep you waiting – trust me, the anticipation is worth it. In the mean time, check out Jackie’s take on some Valentine’s Day questions.

Living in Europe, is there something extra special about Valentine’s Day folks here in the states might not be able to experience? An impromptu trip to Paris!

What is the most extravagant Valentine’s Day gift/activity have you ever heard of (be it a personal story, one from a friend or even one you’ve heard about)? Last year an anonymous wealthy businessman pledged to buy his wife two suborbital spaceflights on Virgin Galactic. I don’t know if it was actually true, but if it were it would be the most extravagant, fascinating and exciting Valentine’s Day gift I have ever heard of!

Keep reading...

Are you finalizing all your Valentine’s Day plans? As the hours tick by I know plenty of people are scrambling to finalize plans, make plans or tweak plans. Whatever you decide to do, know you can keep coming back here to read all the fun stuff some of our favorite designers are doing! Today, creative director for Botkier, Monica talks Valentine’s Day with us.

What was your most memorable Valentine’s Day? My husband likes to say that everyday should be Valentine’s Day, not just 1 day of the year. Last year we celebrated with our then 3 year old daughter, who surprised me with a red long stem rose.

What was the best gift you’ve received on Valentine’s Day? Malcolm Betts hammered gold and diamond band, hubby and I went and picked them out for each other at Barney’s.

Keep reading...

Creative director of Bird Handbags, Liz Carey has lead quite a life. Jet-setting, designing, modeling, there is just so much to learn about this amazing designer. Today, she takes a moment to share Bird Handbags and love.

Do you look forward to or dread Valentine’s Day, why? I look forward to it because it is a day where you might possibly get a gift… or at least some chocolate.

What is your favorite Valentine’s Day splurge? Eating nonstop!

If/when you have a significant other, does Valentine’s Day seem more important? Umm hello, yes. Without one I find it a real bore… especially embarrassing having to mail valentines to yourself. Always awkward.

What are your plans for Valentine’s Day this year? I’m assuming I’ll be whisked away to a private island where I’ll be spoon-fed chocolate pudding by a team of handsome man servants and massaged vigorously. (Or, maybe my man will take me to dinner.)

What is the best Bird gift for Valentine’s Day, why? A One Night Stand Bag, clearly… hello.

We had the chance to steal a few moments from the vastly popular and busy Rebecca Minkoff to nab her thoughts on Valentine’s Day. Rebecca Minkoff is busy with her handbag lines and up next is a clothing line, which will be debuting soon. If her clothing line is anything like her handbag line, get ready to fight for what you want!

Love/Hate Valentine’s Day: Like- its fun and romantic but sometimes its too blown out of proportion!

Favorite movie to watch on Valentine’s Day: P.S. I love you

Best gift you have given on Valentine’s Day: A guitar to my fiance that me and some friends and family bought

Valentine’s Day plans: Hiding in a dark corner of our favorite restaurant and eating by candlelight

The best Rebecca Minkoff bag for a Valentine’s Day gift, why?: The Valentine’s Day Pouch Set, its a set of 3, is affordable and brightens up winter!

What is your favorite thing about Valentines Day? I love to celebrate a day that is filled with love. It is a day that should be about the person you love, not about what you can give or receive. It is a time when people who normally have trouble expressing their feelings may find it a bit easier to communicate. I love to celebrate being in love.

What is your least favorite thing about Valentines Day? I often think about the people who do not have a significant other, and how they would be spending the day. I do feel that it gives everyone the opportunity to reach out to everyone we love, not just our mate. I also do not like all of the commercialization that comes with the Holiday.

What is your dream Valentines Day like? My dream Valentines Day would involve spending a FULL day with my husband. I would plan a schedule of things that we love to do together and make sure we only have time for each other; turn off the outside world for a day!

Read the full article...