Novelty Bags

After a not so relaxing weekend, my early Monday mood is doldrum to say the least. Let me tell you, stress sucks (I know, you are thinking ‘tell us something we didn’t know!’). Being stressed really just eats at your body. Don’t let it in, even when you have a ton on your shoulders. And to think, I am merely stressed from packing for a very long ‘vacation’. Life needs to slow down! So to start today, I have found two handbags to show the perfect mood I am in; one censored, one not. The Get Your Own Bag B#*@% Tote is cunning, clever, and a tad cynical which makes the perfect mix for some days. This canvas tote features a coy cartoon of a girl ready to duke it out over her handbag, and let me tell you, that is my kind of girl. She is spunky and has attitude. Don’t even begin to think I would be anyone other than the blond haired girl, being really nice to stop someone to say ‘Nice Bag’ and getting a tongue lashing. All those who know me, know, I am just that nice. Anyhow, this tote made my day and makes a statement. Check out other Angry Little Girls! handbags. Tote $24.99 via Algstore, censored version here and uncensored here.

Persons who still can not get into rated R movies do not need to go after the jump for the uncensored version!
Continue reading →

If you had $36,000 spare dollars, which would you buy?

The hoopla behind the Diane von Furstenberg Wrap Dresses has yet to die down. It may have taken a small itsty-bitsy step down, but it is far from falling. To me, this is still what DVF is known for, her wrap dresses and sultry apparel line. Who would have known she makes accessories, and enormously pricey ones at that. I am all for thinking outside of the box and following your heart, and DVF does just that, follows her heart full of gold to design the Diane von Furstenberg Heart Bag. Now I am pretty sure Diane herself is not slaving for two months over creating this bag, but this piece of art is created by a master goldsmith over a two month time period. The amount of gold is astronomical for a handbag, or just to own. Merely half a foot in diameter, the gold heart bag is lined with lush black suede and features a silk black strap. Some of you thought the Judith Leiber Bag was only to be looked at, well now what do you think of this? Personally, give me $36k to spare and I’d much rather opt for a stunning BMW 328i Coupe and still have $700 to spare. If you are high rolling, buy this masterpiece of gold art through DVF for $36,000.

What would you buy with $36,000?

{Thanks Caitlin!}

It’s a dog!? It’s a purse?! It’s both!

I think the createurs of this repulsively hideous *thing* give dog lovers too much credit. No way in a thousand years do I see a sane woman carry this thing (no offense to those who buy one and actually carry it). Yikes. For $34 via Bia Collection.

Now this reminds of an idea that my friend had a few weeks back – he suggested to provide a service for people to have their passed pets turned into handbags. Any VCs in for this one?

Ok so this bag should just make you all laugh. I am going to go out on a limb and venture to say that many and most of you would say you could lose a few extra pounds and could be making a few extra bucks. Right now I am sitting at my desk wondering why I haven’t worked out at all recently and wondering why so many people can walk up and down 5th Ave and shop like they do and I can’t! But Lulu Guinness thinks you can be too thin and too rich. The Lulu Guinness Too Rich Too Thin Keeley is bold with its statement and fun with its color. The black canvas bag closes with a zip fastening and has colorful embroidery that reads “You can be too rich and too thin”. While I love the cause, I can’t help but think that so many of us will disagree (cough cough- me!) Either way it is fun and you can help make the ‘please avoid being Victoria Beckham thin’ statement. Available via Lulu Guinness for £150 (about US $275).

via Luxist

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.

Finally some high quality stuff to be featured in our novelty section. The poor place has been collecting dust in the past months. But this time, some clever clutches promise to spice things up a notch. Robin Goetz and Joanna Lipman form the dynamic duo behind the New York City based company Femme Sud. They’ve both fancied vintage since early age, and their common passion for bags and jewelry from the early days eventually brought them together. Now, Robin was kind enough to email Megs about their sparking new Ex Libris Clutch Collection, and we just had to feature this new designer duo’s work. Simply fantastic.

Now, the Ex Libris collectible clutches come in six dazzling flavors. Birds & Bees, Datebook, Diary (pictured), Fame & Fortune, Our Wedding and Yearbook. Each of the clutches has their own cute theme to it, all are very girly and playful. The NYC handmade clutches are all made of italian lambskin and feature detailed embroidery that is carefully crafted. Its inside “pages” or pockets are lined in satin and carry a 3×5 inch oval mirror. Each book also features leather corners for inserting a 2 1/2 by 2 1/2 picture, making the clutches perfect as a gift for a special someone. A satin coin purse and lipstick are included as a cute extra on top. All of the clutched are limited to 999 and go for $595 a piece. Like the idea of a book clutch? Head over to Femme Sud and check our Robin’s and Joanna’s work.

I remember being in charge of the class pet over the summer between 1st and 2nd grade, it was “Max” the hamster. I was so proud I was chosen to take care of Max. Oddly enough, Max was really a Maxette, who had babies. My mom was a little perturbed. I, of course, was the happiest camper out there! But when my mom began to make me clean the cage and feed them and be the ‘actual’ caregiver of the litter, I got sick of Max. Responsibility was not what I was looking for. Max and his family made it through the summer alive, and although he was the cutest little bugger out there, I was done being his makeshift Mommie.

I’m sure many of you think hamsters are cute. But would you carry a bag that looks just like one? I personally am a little confused by this Swarovski Embroidery and Strass Handbag because to me it looks so much like my hamster Max. This bag is made of 100% light fawn colored fox fur (unlike Max). The bag is made by the oh-so-famous Swarovski crystal company, so the bag definitely shows off some of their beautiful crystals. The bag radiates its Topaz and Dorado crystal embroidered flap, which also features crocodile skin, python and lambskin patchwork. The bag may be made for elegant and extraordinary evening wear, but the resemblance to Max is far too great for me to ever carry it. A bag like this does not come cheap, it’s being sold for 2780.00 € via Luisaviaroma.

If any of you remember we featured Jal Purses a while back. The lovely Judith Lieber has now launched her site and I can’t help but re-feature her and show all of you reader’s just what a novelty her bags are. Her bags are one of a kind, so if you see one you like, you better buy it right away because if someone else beats you to it- you are out of luck. If any of you remember the movie The Sweetest Thing, the always hot Christina Applegate was carrying one of Judith Lieber’s bags in the club scene.

We featured an array of her bags before that you all should check out, but I also wanted to show you all a few new ones. Keep in mind that these bags are the only one like it you will ever see. Pay attention to the intricate detail Judith implements when crafting each bag and I am sure you will all realize why I am so drawn to these bags

First, I love this Jal Purses Sand Dunes Bag. The bag is made of copper wire lattice, copper-colored ribbon with metallic flecks, formed copper handles, sandstone beads, copper colored satin lining. The color is a silky chocolate and the sandstone beads add such an astonishing finishing touch. This bag would be perfect for a fancy night out or even add a beautiful touch to a casual-chic outfit. The dimensions are width: 5.5 ” & length: 6.5″. This bag costs $250 on JalPurses.

One of my other favorites happens to be the Jal Purses Lace Hankie. This bag caught my attention quickly. Because it is so extraordinarily different that anything you will see out there, how could you not want to carry this posh little clutch out with you? This beauty is made of fine silver wire, Swarovski Crystals, sterling silver chain handles, and grey organza interior and exterior lining. I just love how you can see the smaller inside compartment, from the lace silver wire outside. I wish I were skilled enough to create something like this. This bag’s size is W 7.5 ” and L 6.5″, which means it could fit the small accessories you would need to take out with you. This one is a bit more than the first, but well worth the price. Buy it for $350 also via JalPurses.

Last but not least, how could I ever leave out the Jal Purses Internet Bag? The name first drew me in, because of course, I am on the internet quite a bit. Yes, not the best reason, I know, but the bag will show you why I loved it. You know when you just want to own a fun bag? The kind of bag that shows everyone else that you are ok being fun and flirty, and not always needing to look like the most proper-sophisticated woman with a black suit and black bag? This bag is asking for fun. The bag is made of copper wire, moonstones, selected beads, and has blue/pink iridescent lining. Kind of quirky but also super exciting, you could use this bag to go out for the night (just like Christina Applegate did- but different fun bag) and show the world that you are the life of the party. The bag measures 6.25″x5.5″ and is also, of course, available through JalPurses for $300.

If you are interested hop on over to her site, Jal Purses, and browse all of her bags in her online purse gallery.

I was very contently browsing around the very lux European designer website, luisaviaroma.com until I spotted this. Jigga wha?? Strangely this is under the handbag section. Is this someones idea of a joke? 257 euros (about $310) can get you this Frankie Morello fox stole handbag, hand puppet, something or other. Hmmm. Do you think I need to get on a waitlist?

You know how you can see a bag, and then you can imagine what outfit it would look perfect with? I do it all the time. Somebody needs to tell my brain I am not an heiress to a multi-billion dollar corporation, I can not even afford my own thoughts. But I can share them with you and see if any of you agree or think crazy thoughts like myself. I often find myself looking at a bag that is impractical. A bag that would only match a handful of outfits (that I probably do not even own). But when I get that image in my head, I’m done. It’s embedded in my memory and I want to nab that look. This is where my biggest problems come into play. Which of you do the same thing? (Somebody please speak up and make me think I’m not alone in this world!!)

So when I ran into this Zac Posen Raffia and Leather Studded Clutch my mind immediately began to think of the perfect outfit with it. I have it in my head perfectly. Too bad it’s only about one outfit I can think of. But nevertheless this bag is more practical than one would assume. A classic pair of jeans and a tee could be seen with this bag and all would be good! Made of beautiful blue leather and nude raffia, this curved clutch gives me something to smile about. The bag also shows off a metallic ‘Z’ design and silver studs, who doesn’t show studs now-a-days? Also the bag has red lining with blue stitching and silver studs in cut-out detail on front, plain cut-outs on back and a thin leather strap. The interior is lined in soft beige suede and contains an interior pocket. Just what the doctor ordered! I love a bag that is out of the ordinary, and this bag does it for me. Here comes what the doctor did not order, the rather exorbitant $690 price tag on Net-A-Porter. I guess this leaves me with my perfect mental image of myself with the bag for now…