Totes

Image via GR

These days you can look totally chic on your way to and from the gym. My problem is that when I leave a work out, my hair looks like a total scary mess (lots of random curling etc), my face is red, my body is tired, and my clothes most def do not smell great. I see a celeb photographed leaving a workout and they look stunning, each piece of hair in place, big smile, makeup, and ready for a paparazzi snap. This must be why I am not a celeb, I can’t do that. Sarah Michelle Gellar looked stunning on her way to (please tell me not from) a work out last week toting the beautiful Lanvin Kentucky Tote. This tote bag is oversized (measuring 16″x16.5″x5″) and features soft supple leather and brass hardware. Lanvin is making a huge name for itself in the handbag world and Gellar is looking pretty carrying it. Bag via Barneys for $1545 and Gellar via Freddie Prince Jr for a negotiable high amount.

I hope all of you had a weekend enjoying some spring time sunshine. I spent many days relaxing and shopping and the evenings winding down in the jacuzzi! Got to love Florida! And now as it is just warming up, when you head to swipe some plastic, you realize that fall/winter lines are out already. It is 80 degrees and I was looking at velvet hats. Hum. Not sure if it is because the coloring is drab for spring or the coloring is drab all together, the Mulberry Radcliffe Canvas Bag does not do it for me. The tan canvas appears washed out which in turn looses the Paisley leather appliques in the mix. This bag reminds me of what a very slight beige color looks like on me. DRAB. I look like I have never seen the sun, my skin looks horrid, and I just blend into the background. I hate to see a bag with potential do the same thing. There is a signature buckle and woven brown leather handles which offset the coloring a tad. Because of my light skin, light hair, and blue eyes, this bag is not for me. Yet on someone completely different, it could work. Sure it is simple, but loosing the pattern in the bag looses my interest in the bag. Via Net-A-Porter for $795.

When casted for one of the lead roles in The Devil Wears Prada, I was not sure Anne Hathaway would be perfect for the part. But this pretty gal who was known for Disney roles stepped up to the plate and became a fashionably chic woman on a mission. And now in her everyday life, Hathaway brings in a little fashionable this and a little fashionable that to let the world know she still knows how to dress. Simple in a black outfit at LAX, Anne Hathaway adds a Tory Burch Patent Leather T-Tote to make her outfit pop. The patent leather tote features a perforated Tory Burch logo, is a great size (17 1/2″H x 17″W) and is available in in Massai Red, Black, Honey Orange or Baltic Blue. Via Tory Burch for $295.

Within the scope of Fab’s Spring Handbag Guide, the ladies present us with this fun, printed spring tote. You certainly don’t need to be involved in the nautical world to enjoy it to the fullest. The look of the tote actually reminds me a little of Louis’ Antigua line, even though the print gives the McQ a more bold appearance over the more subtle unprinted LV line. If this bag floats your boat, grab it via ShopBop for $823.

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 →

I have never been a huge fan of red, that is on me. Red is really a bold color and while I’d love to pull it off all the time (especially on my lips!), my skin tone, hair, and eyes, just don’t work perfectly with it. It is probably just be in general. But in recent years I have learned to implement it in small pieces in my wardrobe, especially when I need to wear some Ohio State colors (Go BUCKS!!!). Always amazing quality and stunning colors, Nancy Gonzalez has gone big again with the Nancy Gonzalez Shiny Crocodile Tote which is available in rockin’ cherry Caiman Fuscus crocodile. Simple tote design with a shoulder stap and open top, lined in suede, and featuring inner pockets, this tote is a perfect bold red statement. Measurements are 12 1/4″H x 14 1/2″W x 5″D. I am fairly confident that I could pull off this tote with jeans and a white tee shirt or dress it up at night and look ravishing. Totally eye-catching through Saks for $3600.

For someone always on the go, an everyday bag is a must. My collection has quite a few ‘everyday’ bags by my own standards, but I am growing sick of some and others are too heavy. I have been toting my Chloe Paddington Tote (which is quite a bit heavier than my Paddington Satchel) recently, and while it is absolutely stunning it is also absolutely heavy. The probability is high that the weight of the bag is directly correlated with what I carry, which includes everything but the kitchen sink. I need a bag that is light, simple, and chic. The Vanessa Bruno Double Zip Tote is perfect for everyday wear, is light because it is made with black nylon, and catches the eye with leather trim and two folds. The nylon folds to meet in a leather strap that graces the middle of the bag, giving a slouchy yet chic shape. Finished off with zip pockets on either side, this handbag is a beauty and will be easy to maintain: $686 via Net-A-Porter.

The past two days have been devoted to handbags that cost the price of a BMW, a nicer BMW, and a small house, but with a pinch on my arm and its all back to reality. This reality is, of course, still in the world of designer bags, but doesn’t that low 4 digit price tag look amazingly refreshing today? For an everyday tote which rides on the metallic wave trend, the Yves Saint Laurent Metallic Downtown Tote is a favorite. The Downtown Collection has been a hit thus far for YSL and the new colors of the hits keep rolling in. Metallic silver leather along with silver-tone hardware pair together in this funky tote. Front buckle strap detailing and front pockets give an added touch to an otherwise simple bag. I love the shape of this bag, which is perfect for everyday wear but will still provide you with some edge. Through Neiman Marcus for $1595.

We reported earlier that Marc Jacobs has entered rehab for which we wish him the best. What better way to send him all kinds of love and support than continuing to buy his bags? And hey, worst case scenario, this helps you justify a purchase. A spin off the Stam, the Marc Jacobs Quilted Leather Tote showcases brown quilted leather with chunky gold hardware and chain link handles. Two front zip pockets add a bit of flare. This bag is a Marc hit, seeing as he rode the nice Stam wave and re-introduced the quilted leather along with a sophisticated coloring pair of brown leather and gold hardware. Support Team Marc through NAP for $1350.