Satchels

I’m not sure if I could have said this better myself… Sadaf said, “In these times it is humbling to see celebrities like Heidi Klum carrying a under $300 bag from Michael by Michael Kors (okay, barely under $300 but at least you don’t need to be on a waiting list to get the bag). She had the color “leather luggage” and was using it as a combo diaper bag. Cute bag don’t you think?” I do love when bags are being carried because they are beautiful and versatile and not just because a celeb is carrying them. I think many of you will agree with this. The Michael Kors “Astor” Large Satchel is a beautiful bag fit for a star (with the not too shabby price tag). If you like to carry lots of your necessities (or not-so-necessities), this large satchel can help you tote your needs around town. Made of soft leather with beautifully seamed detail and nickel stud detail, Michael Kors brought in beauty with functionality. Some other features include a top two-way zip closure, and inside pockets; including inside zip, pouch and cell phone pockets. The dimensions are 14″ W x 10″ H x 5″ D, which makes this bag a pretty nice size. If any of you love this handbag just like Sadaf, head over to Macy*s and nab it for $298.

It’s time for Viewer’s Choice Mundays! While Megs is a little inhibited (taken that her wireless internet connection went down the drain last night), I’ll be plugging the VCM delight in a trimmed down version (I am not sure about the submissions she got via email). Time to go B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

Behind the odd name Violette Nozieres Banana Adele hides a bag that does not need to hide. Our reader chemlex recently found herself indulged in Violette Nozieres handbags and decided to share the love with us. While I don’t know a thing about Violette Nozieres, fact remains that they make “day into evening” bags that allow one to carry enough neccessities during the day, but still look glamorous during the night time. How much I love flexibility and versatility. This particular bag is an east/west satchel handbag made of vacchetta leather with Italian crackle metallic lambskin trim. It sports dual shoulder straps and an antique brass chain and hardware, whose bead and stone decor consists of natural amethysts, citrines, new jade, agate, riverstones, amazonites and dyed shells. Fancy! The bag measures 17 1/2″ wide x 4 1/2″ deep x 7 3/4″ high and is now on sale (60% down!) for just under two hundred bucks. More information over at Zappos!

I’m generally not a friend of too much metallic. I am more of a plain, smooth leather type o’guy, throw in some suede and I’ll purr like a walruss mating. Anyhow, there is still something about the Nuovedive Metallic Wine Red Satchel that caught my eye sight. Perhaps it’s the bordeaux mixed with the shimmering shine of the wine red metallic, or the shape or both – I can’t put a finger on it. I just really like that bag and know that it would complement very many of you ladies on a long night out. The compact 10″ x 6.30″ x 3.50″ satchel comes with a detachable shoulder strap and goes for just under two hundred bucks. Available through Forzieri of Italy.

Like I promised, Monday’s will now be dedicated to Viewer’s Choice. Luckily I did have some people respond (if not this would have been a disaster). First we are going to see a bag that Zoe’s Mom “would love to be carrying to all her holiday parties this year!” Awesome choice. The Miu Miu Velvet & Leather Satchel really does call out some attention for some holiday cheer. While I did not like their blue/gold velvet combo, this red/gold swirl-print velvet satchel could put any Scrooge in the spirit of the season. Trimmed in dark brown cracked leather, the bag is bold and beautiful. The top closure is a belted tab over the open top which should make for easy access to your lipstick when waiting for the kiss under the mistletoe. The top handles have an 8″ drop, so the satchel could be worn under the arm or as a tote. The inside has a pocket if there is anything you need to be protected or hidden. Overall, the dimensions of this bag are 8 2/3″H x 16 2/3″L x 5 1/3″D. Seems like a good size bag for my favorite time of year coming up. On sale via Neiman Marcus for $765, let’s all hope someone wants to treat Zoe’s Mom to her holiday wish this year!!

Peer pressure works wonders. Coach, usually known for their classy up-scale, yet affordable bags, is now delving into python. It had to start sometime. With every other designer using exotic materials, Coach has decided it is their turn too. Brand new is the Coach Python Small Pocket Satchel. Personally, I don’t really dig the color chosen. For their first exotic skin bag, shocking blue might be a little too risky- especially for the not so typical price tag we all associate with Coach. The inside features of the satchel include an inside zip pocket, a whatever-you-want-to-store inside pocket, and imported silk lining. The outside features show everyone else the exotic python with calfskin trim, two front and side pockets, and outside zip pocket, and brass turnlock closures. The dimensions are 10 5/8 (L) x 5 1/2 (H) x 4 5/8 (W). For about 6 times over what you are used to spending at Coach, the Coach Python Small Pocket Satchel is available for $1900 via Coach.

Along with the satchel comes the Coach Python Demi. This bag I can stomach a little more because it’s not as big in size so you can get away with some bold colors a bit easier. This demi has all 3 S’s. Small, Simple, and Sexy. The inside of the bag has a cell phone or multi-function pocket and is also lined with imported silk. The outside features the python with calfskin trim and a zip-top closure. The chain is quite fun- it’s an 18 1/2” removable python and brass chain strap with a dogleash clip. The overall dimensions of the bag are 9 1/2 (L) x 4 5/8 (H) x 1 (W). This very small but exotic bag can be purchased for $900 through Coach.

Sometimes I live in la-la land way too much. I realize that we tend to focus on high-end designer bags here- but face it- we can’t afford all the bags we talk about. Heck, I can’t even afford all of them. Buying a bag that costs over a grand is insane in price and makes our expensive designer wallets that carry dirty money and plastic cry. So I will try to get my head out of the clouds, bring it back to Earth, and discuss some affordable bags. If you are into the woven bag craze but just can’t afford the huge price tags of something like a Bottega Veneta, why not try the Aspects by Lisette Woven Black Leather Satchel. This satchel is made of woven black leather and shows off gleaming silver hardware and faux-croc trim. Yup- faux crocodile- for all of the animal lovers out there- you should now smile and clap. The bag is an open zip top, has a front flap with a hidden zipper pocket, and completes itself with one interior zipper pocket and two interior open pockets. The dimensions of the bag measure 13″ wide x 8″ high x 7″ deep and 13″ handles. The faux-croc trim really compliments the woven leather body. This bag can make it into your wardrobe for the very low price of $89.99 on Smart Bargains (really it is quite the bargain, don’t you agree?)

Anyone else have weird dreams about celebrities? Right before I fell asleep I was looking at celeb gossip, and next thing I knew I was dreaming I was on a roller coaster with Britney Spears. No? Guess you weren’t invited. That actually has nothing to do with what I’m writing about, but I assumed it was an amusing interlude. This morning I woke up and felt like spending money. Now if you know anything about me, that’s a bad thing. That’s the kind of money spending where I swear a credit card is only a piece of plastic and I forget that the funds are not unlimited. Then, during the entire time I shop, I laugh each time I make a dent in the card. That has been a bad habit of mine since as long as my parents and I can remember. So of course, being in a shopping mood, first thing I did when I woke up was check out some expensive handbags (which is quite usual for me). And I ran into a beauty, I mean a true beauty.

The Prada Rose Print Satchel is gorgeous. Just drop dead gorgeous. It’s ready for pre-order, and I believe I am joining the list (hey, that’s no harm done, right?). This satchel is made with a cream canvas with red/orange/olive/yellow rose print and metallic gold leather trim. The gold trim really gives the bag the most elegant appeal along with the accents from the golden hardware. The shoulder straps have buckle-detailing and a removable ID tag. Featuring a top flap with a push-lock closure, makes the closure for the bag stand out among the usual zip top closures. The dimensions are 9 1/6″H x 12 1/3″W x 5 1/3″D. When I woke up this morning, the bag was a little piece of heaven for me. Maybe it does the same for you, if so you can join me on the pre-order list at Neiman Marcus for $1,195.00.

Do you ever find it funny that most bags that come and go with style, come and go as the celebrities wear them? I sure wish I were as big of a trend-setter as they are, but I’m just Megs. I always find it amusing that I even consider taking style tips from girls who are much younger than me (Cough cough, Lindsay Lohan who always have posh bags- and how bout the rest of the world with Boho chic style tips from the Olsen Twins??!). Only thing I know is that they don’t always dress themselves, they have stylists who really do know what they are doing. Side remark: this is what I tell myself when I realize I want a bag some teenie-bopper is carrying. This entire tangent comes down to the sudden made hit of Be & D. Now, I have loved them for a while. But of course it was after seeing quite a few A-listers carry them. I love their bags because they are young and fresh while still holding on to luxury and sophistication.

The Be & D Studded Satchel should be given much attention. The best part of this bag is the metallic gunmetal (which is a dark grey color) lambskin. How awesome is that color?! The hardware is all made of silver metal which accentuates the color of the bag, and the bag is trimmed with a black-pebble grain lambskin. The signature Be & D studding detail will not leave you disappointed. The bag shows off studded detail all around and has top handles with buckles and an ID tag. Measuring in at 8″H x 14 1/2″W x 6″D, this trendy satchel is available for pre-order via Neiman Marcus.

Many purses and handbags that I see are never quite whimsical. I dig whimsical from time to time. Especially with the mood of summer, it is just kind of fitting. Hence I am in love with this Anthropologie Moonlight Satchel. I have mentioned before that I really love the summer airy- flowing look. I love to just through on a long light skirt and a tank and hop out the door. This bag I think could add a perfect touch to any outfit. The bag is made with folds of yellow tulle ripple which are gently flowing over the body of the green cotton hobo, which creates the effect of a moonlit aqua sea. I love the look of a moonlit ocean/sea. It is breathtaking. Also the bag has sequined bows and sashes which give off an added sparkle while dangling freely from this chic bag. Only $178 through Anthropologie.

Sorry for the short post but I am on my way out the door for the weekend! Don’t fear, Vlad will be in charge until I get back. He usually enjoys some fun while I’m out of town, so I am sure he will entertain you all! Have a great weekend

For some reason this world is always living so far into the future I swear we forget to live for today. Ah words of wisdom from little insignificant me. But it is true. When it’s Halloween, there are talks of the holidays such as Christmas. What happened to Thanksgiving I wonder? It just flew by? This living in the future trend is also readily visible in the fashion world. Which is a problem for us shopoholics. You know how to finally get that new bag, or shirt, or dress you have been saving for and then you turn around and see the following week the next season is being shown off. What the heck!! It makes me mad because I feel like I never have enough money to keep up with the times. I bet this happens to you a lot too. So why am I talking about this? Because I have found yet another gorgeous fall bag. Wow, fall seems far away. We still have the dreadfully hot months (and hurricane months) of July and August to make it through. Nevertheless, Dolce & Gabbana is showing us why they are regarded as cream of the crop. The Dolce & Gabbana Studded Satchel for fall is absolutely gorgeous. Actually between the soft brown leather and gold hardware I don’t know what else Dolce & Gabbana could do to show us that the fall line is already here.

The satchel manifests its beauty in a sumptuous cuoio (brown) colored leather with golden hardware and stud trim. Another eye-catcher is the hanging ‘D’ and ‘G’ logo charms hanging from the shoulder straps. The bag is a zip top opening with a pad-lock pull tab. Now, there is a downside. Because it is a fall bag, it may only be pre-ordered. Yikes. And even worse is the expected shipment date. Wow, you sure will make it into fall when you finally get this bag. Expected shipment date is 10/14/2005. Humm, sorry if I gave off some false advertisement. But the perk is you know are some of the first to see this beauty and if you chose to order it at Bergdorf Goodman for $1,495 you are guaranteed (by me) to be one of the hippest awaited fall fashionistas!