So, the 1980s throwback trend is, like, a thing. I get that. I’m even a moderate supporter of it, when done correctly. The 80s were a time of excess and fashion-forwardness and questionable taste, and everyone loves that, right? Right. Except when it’s done like the Pauric Sweeney Padded Patchwork Top Handle, I don’t love it. At all. Not even a little. It kind of makes my eyes hurt to look at it. This isn’t just a winking reference to 80s ridiculousness – this is taking something that was already fug back then and making it more fug and more expensive 25 years later. And I, for one, am not fooled and not impressed. In order to do “retro” correctly, a designer has to somehow make it sleeker and more modern than it was to begin with, and there’s nothing about this bag that looks updated in the least. It wasn’t cute then, and it’s not cute now, sadly; it’s a retro-gone-wrong monstrosity. Even if this bag was given to me for free, I sincerely doubt I would wear it to anything but a costume party. Buy through LuisaViaRoma for € 810.00.

In commenting on one of my previous posts over on the Forum, our lovely member gacats mentioned a piece of classic style advice that I think many people (designers and fashionistas included) have totally forgotten lately: when dressing, always remove one accessory before leaving the house. It may sound a bit conservative to some folks, but it’s a great way to ensure that you don’t look like a fashion victim or someone wearing a costume. Now, if only certain bag designers would take that advice. Consider the Thomas Wylde Colossus Scorpion Bag, for instance. There are things about this bag that I love – the leather looks so soft that I have the strange urge to rub it on my face, the bike-chain handle is a cool, industrial touch, as are the spikes at the handle attachment, and the overall effect is full of edgy-but-fashionable personality that could really do wonders for the average outfit. And then…there are the scorpions emblazoned on the front in silver studs. I know that’s sort of Thomas Wylde’s thing, with the random stuff depicted in studs, but I wish his look would evolve a bit and maybe become a little more subtle. This bag would still have attitude to spare without the bugs on it, and with them, it seems just a wee bit silly. Part of me also thinks it looks a lot less luxurious than it could – the scorpions break up all that delicious, wonderful, touchable leather. So, Thomas Wylde, please consider heeding some sage advice – next time you get the urge to put bugs on a purse, let it pass. Buy through eLuxury for $2500.

I don’t even really know how to begin. I am bringing you a Christian Louboutin handbag that isn’t a clutch? I think this is a first. While there are times I write about handbags for no reason other than shock or surprise; this time, being surprised is a good thing. I am so pleased with the Christian Louboutin Piercing Softy Hobo I almost don’t know where to start. The soft “makeup” colored leather is a shade that can go with so many outfits during so many different seasons. The way the leather is gathered as well as the pleating and vertical welts draw the eye to the detailing that went into designing and crafting the bag. And of course, as you might be able to tell, this is a bag that would be perfect to use during the day. Yet at the same time, I could see myself carrying this during the evening as well. If you aren’t a fan of the color, fear not, the handbag comes in black as well. If you ever doubted that this was truly a Louboutin handbag, open it up and you will find the signature bright silk satin lining. Gorgeous. And since you are pretty much sure to drop a pretty penny or two on a Louboutin, maybe a larger bag like this one can be more justifiable than one of the clutches. Buy through Saks for $1895.

Lately, Marni has been going slouchy and I like it. Sure, growing up my mother, grandmother and various family members would always tell the kids, “don’t slouch”. Well, I’m going to go against that and tell the folks over at Marni to keep slouching their way into our hearts and our closets! A little while ago, Amanda brought you the Marni Slouchy Leather Bag. Although that bag received mixed reviews from our readers, I had to bring you another Marni bag. The Marni Slouchy Shoulder Bag demonstrates how a bit of asymmetry can actually work. The caramel slouchy leather with silver-tone hardware, shoulder strap, zip across the top and turnlock fastening all come together nicely. In a season full of bright, Bright, BRIGHT colors, it would be nice to add a neutral bag to your wardrobe. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1410.

Yes, I’ve said it before, I love celebrity gossip. It really is a guilty pleasure of mine. I don’t know why, but as soon as I open a celeb infused magazine or type in a celeb heavy site, I am fixated. It’s not that I am trying to emulate one celebrity or another, but I love to see where they go, what they wear and who they are hanging out with. I can’t help it. And to be honest, I know many of you sitting there reading this feel the same way. Whether you openly admit it or feel some sort of shame admitting it, so many of us love celeb gossip! Today I came across some very interesting images of Sienna Miller. Many view her as a fashion icon or at least someone who keeps up, if not sets, trends. She could be in rainy London, sunny LA, or fast-paced NYC and she is always photographed and her clothes almost always commented on. Today is nothing different. A red cape? Really, Sienna? I realize she is in London, and it is probably frigid, but the Little-Red-Riding-Hood-look makes me go “hmmmm”. I can’t decide if it is fashionable or a fashion faux-pas.

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Alright, I’ll admit it. I haven’t been overly friendly to Fendi in the past. You might even say I’ve been critical; some would say overly critical. I just say honest. But not only is the Fendi Sfilata Divided Satchel a major It Bag for spring, but I actually love it. It has its faults, don’t get me wrong. Most obviously, that it looks an awful lot like an Hermes Kelly. But the Kelly is a timeless shape, and one that many other brands have bogarted (I’m looking at you, Chanel), so you can hardly blame Fendi for giving us their own version. Theirs has a bit of slouch and distressing to it that the Hermes model is certainly not known for, and it may be designed in a way that is actually a good bit more functional. Instead of a flap, the Sfilata Satchel has a turnlock closure on both sides and what appears to be a fairly rigid divider down the middle (or perhaps only the top is rigid – hard to tell). For all of you organized women out there (of which I am certainly not one), something like this has to be a great way to help keep your purse neat and tidy, especially compared to a giant slouchy hobo that turns into a handbag black hole and eats your stuff (which describes, oh, basically all of my bags). At nearly $2600, I can’t call this purse inexpensive, but compared to the traditional Kelly option at more than twice that, it might be a downright bargain. Buy through Saks for $2590.

I’ve been on the look recently for a very tiny pouch or wristlet to use as a clutch. I want something small enough to fit easily in my hand that will hold only the very essentials – house key, car key, ID, cash, phone. But the phone is where I’m hitting an impasse, because I have an enormous Blackberry with an even more enormous clear plastic shell to keep it safe (gotta brag for a minute – it’s one of the new click-screen ones! I love it!). As such, the thing is approximately the size of a small computer, and even if I can find a wristlet into which it fits, nothing else will fit alongside it. So I’ve decided to get a bit creative in my current search, and this morning came across something that could potentially work very well – the Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Cosmetic Pouch MM. I realize that it’s meant to hold lipsticks and whatnot inside of a larger bag, but since it doesn’t have cosmetic pouch emblazoned on it anywhere, I doubt anyone would know the difference. Besides, I’m all for repurposing things (kinda of like the tv stand holding the microwave in my kitchen. Ahem). At any rate, it looks like it’s just small enough to fit in my hand while being just big enough to contain my giant brick of a phone, and it zips all the way across the top, lest I drop it or hit anyone in the head with it. Perfect! On top of all that, amarante is my favorite color of LV vernis ever and would go really well with all the black I tend to wear. Now if only LV ever went on sale. Buy through eLuxury for $450.

I know it is such a cheesy, cliché thing to say… but for the sake of trying to express my emotions, I’ll still say it:

I married the woman of my dreams. My excitement over being married to my love goes beyond anything I could attempt to express on our Purse Blog.

Meaghan and I had our wedding last Friday at the Spanish Monastery in North Miami. The event took a lot of stressful planning, it turned out absolutely beautifully. Both Megs and I could not be happier over celebrating this joyous event with close friends and family, obviously we will also share the festivities with our readers. Stay tuned, the pictures will be posted as soon as they are processed by the wonderful Jeff Kolodny. In the meanwhile, Purse Blog business shall return back to usual tomorrow, as we are settling back into our home and working through piles of neglected emails.

Thanks to all of our readers who have followed us on this beautiful journey over the past 4 years.

I remember learning about the lunar cycle when I was a kid. I found myself infatuated with how the moon changed shape, brightness, and location. Of course, I was pretty young when this first infatuation occurred. Well, over time, I still find myself fixated with the moon. Sometimes it is so big and bright, other times it is a small sliver and yet other times it is perfectly cut in half. Just as I am infatuated with the moon, I can also find myself infatuated with Bottega Veneta handbags. For the most part (and especially when BV sticks to what they are good at), Bottega Veneta handbags are gorgeously intricate yet simply divine.

When I came across the Bottega Veneta Half Moon Clutch I instantly thought it was a handbag I would love to tote. At first glance, the handbag is fun, flirty and versatile. Then as I continued to examine the bag, I noticed the supple leather with exquisite detailing. The terracotta colored leather boasts amazing detailing that is fabulous yet not overwhelming. BV has gone over the top before while trying to do too much at once. This is not a problem here. The soft color matched with detailing gives you a bag that is sure to last for seasons to come. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1650.

Oh, Karl Lagerfeld. He’s crazypants. He’s also the creative force behind Chanel, although I’m sure you all were aware of that. As a result, all of the creative elements of Chanel’s branding are immensely, luxuriously over the top in ways that few other brands can touch (although Louis Vuitton also does an admirable job with Marc Jacobs at the helm), with advertising campaigns and catalogues often photographed by Lagerfeld himself. He is indeed the man behind the camera for Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2009 Accessories Catalogue, but to get a first look at the catalogue and find out more about Krazy Karl’s concept for the shoot, you’ll have to make the jump.

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