Totes

How do you like your totes? Are you someone who prefers it longer or taller? My preference is for a longer tote, but sometimes a taller tote catches my eye and is also appealing. One of the taller totes that has my attention is the Mulberry Elgin Tote. Mulberry has made its way into many of our hearts and hands and this tote is simple but fashionable with its brass buckles and buckle strap closures. The tote is designed from soft pebble leather and is shown off by contrast stitching. For carrying, there are two shoulder straps with a 71⁄4″ drop which should be ample room to fit under the arm. Measuring 131⁄4″H X 12″L X 53⁄4″W , this tote shows that its height and length are not hugely different, but from an outsiders eye the dimensions seem to be much easier to differentiate. After opening the buckle strap closure, there is a zip pocket and suede lining. I’m a fan of the buckle and strap detailing on this bag. Buy it through Saks for $995.

If you have been wondering what gives on the lack of posting this week, I apologize now because it was my busy life taking away from what I really love to do. Having other things to do then writing about bags just bothers me more than you know. Who really wants to work? Not I! So after a short absence, I am back and even have a nice vacation planned starting tomorrow. Be jealous, be very jealous. Hopefully while on vacation I can even pick up a new bag or two or 586,904. More like one, and that is if I am *very* lucky.

If I had my choice of one new bag, I may be looking for an over-sized tote. The Carlos Falchi Super Shopping Tote is designed from smooth Italian leather along with exotic snakeskin and crocodile. The snakeskin comes together for the shoulder strap and there is an alluring crocodile flap closure with discreet magnet closure. Along with the supple leather, these two exotics show off the bag beautifully. Inside to add a little feminine fun there is satin floral lining and a zipped pocket. Overall this big bag measures 19″ x 19″ x 6″. I like how it is different for a big black bag. Buy it through eLuxury for $1595.

The only reason I will cut this bag some slack is because it is clearly a beach bag. I may sound totally hypocritical or just plain stupid, but I hate the look of plastic for a bag. Yes, I do sound stupid because I know this bag is a designated beach bag. Welcome the soon to come warm summer with some sun and the Juicy Couture ESG Beach Colony Tote. This bag just seems so cheap looking to me. Again, I know it is made with vinyl for a reason, but I don’t think this is the best beach bag I’ve seen. Although it is meant for the beach, there is grained leather trim with rolled shoulder straps which may get a bit tarnished with water getting on them. To add some color for the summer, the rainbow Juicy label is strategically placed on the front of the bag along with a palm tree leather cutout with crystal coconuts. I don’t know why, but I just can not get into this bag- beach bag or not. The part that I do like is the Love Surf Juicy cotton towel that is included. Who wouldn’t mind having a Juicy beach towel? Kinda cute. Overall this bag measures 15″ x 10″ x 6″. What do you think of it for a beach bag? Now available via eLuxury for $145.

Big is Beautiful. That seems to be the new motto for this spring. Large bags are super trendy this time of the year, my guess would be the fashion industry is trying to sell you chic enormous bags to fit more in while going on your extensive shopping sprees. The truth is out there. Either way, the Carlos Falchi Super Shopping Tote has earned its right to carry the Super tag, considering its size. It should actually get its own category, as I don’t really see it fitting into the Totes category much. Truely remarkable!

The Super Shopping Tote is handmade of soft and supple Italian black leather, which is gorgeously highlighted with an exotic crocodile flap and artful topstitching. Though spacious, it comes along in an utterly luxurious fashion. The sublime tote finishes with a sumptuous satin interior in an elegant floral print. More exotic materials are crafted into the shoulder strap, which is made of snakeskin and has an 11 inch drop. Additional croc flaps at the base of the bag add even more luxe. Overall, this shopper comes for a reasonable price of 1,595 dollars, which is a steal when you consider all the exotic mats that were handcrafted into this beast of a tote.

When it comes to this tote, the Luella Stevie looks like it could be the legitimate love child of the Luella Daria and the Luella Gisele, as design features of both can be made out in Luella’s new tote creation. Measuring in at 9 by 13 by 6.25 inches, this tote is not even that large in size, but it does make a huge stand, at least in my eyes – I really like it. The Stevie is made of pebbled leather with goldtone hardware and has hanging heart and anchor ornaments, a feature that most Luella bags are well known for. Few golden/bronze stud and ring accepts round off the bag nicely. Nice and long double handles give it a good fit around the shoulder, a turn-lock closure keeps the flap where it belongs. The inside is held in suede lining and carries a zipper and several open pockets for easy storage of all your womanly items. At a price of just over $1,000 (via Saks Fifth Ave – on pre-order status as of today), this beauty isn’t even too pricey, compared to the direct competition.

And again, I am late with posting. I’m a little behind with everything now, please forgive me. Being one of the best procrastinators in the world is kind of giving me a good kick in the behind right now. But, alas, I am here and ready to show you a beautiful bag. While the signature Pucci print pattern can sometimes be overwhelming for me, I have fallen head over heels for the more subtle and subdued pattern. The Emilio Pucci Mombasa Small Tote is trimmed with rich brown leather and shows off the impeccable Mombasa-print canvas. The brown leather shoulder straps with golden crescent discs at base accent this slim bag. The top is gusseted and the interior shows off violet Pucci logo and a zipped pocket. For some reason, my eyes can not get enough of this bag. If you agree, be the lucky lady and buy it through eLuxury for $890.

Ok so we all want and love those high end bags. But I won’t lie; I simply can not afford everything I want. I may try to justify it to myself over and over, but when the money isn’t there I can’t swipe the card. For the gal on a budget or just the gal who needs a bag that can use every bit of wear and tear we experience in everyday life, Gap has some great solutions. One of the best and most affordable tote options I have seen in a while is the Gap Canvas Tote. Available in quite a few colors and patterns, this tote bag is made of quality cotton canvas and is machine washable. There is also contrast trim, double top handles, side pockets, and the tote closes with a snap at the top. Perfect for the beach, for errands, for just about anything. So bring on the dirt and not worrying about where you put this bag! For a price of $19.50 via Gap, I seriously don’t see how you could go wrong.

First of all, I hope everyone stayed warm over the weekend. I know many parts of the US got pounded with snow and bitter cold temps. Because of that, I choose to lie around and only venture out for some Starbucks and shopping. While shopping I saw a huge display of Michael Kors shoes and then realized there were some handbags too. For the most part I associate Michael Kors with footwear, but there are some bags that can not be passed up. The Michael Kors Santorini Tote manifests itself in a chunky appearance but an overall simplistic color scheme and vibe. Because the weave is in, Kors decided to implement brown woven calfskin along with golden hardware for this tote. While the bag may be a bit much for some, the details are evident while not being far too overpowering. It all depends what side of the spectrum you are on. The handles are woven along with golden hardware rings and the bag is an open top. While I am not immediately drawn or not drawn to this bag (which measures 9 1/2″H x 15″W x 4″D), I figured it was a bag not to be passed up. Buy it via Neiman Marcus for $795.

Long necks are sexy. Hence the sexiest neck animal is the giraffe. Because of their uniqueness, giraffes always intrigued me. Prada knows how cool giraffes look, so Prada has jumped on the animal train and designed the Prada Giraffe Pony Hair Medium Tote. The giraffe brown and tan pattern is made on pony hair with the infamous Prada insignia on the front of the tote. Chic enough for everyday use, the tote has a zip top closure and is accented with gold-toned hardware including the d-rings at the sides and the buckles that are with the double handle straps. The bag also shows off calfskin and logo jacquard lining with zip pockets on the inside. Our long neck friends Prada bag measures approximately 14” wide x 11 ½” tall x 5” base depth and can be purchased through Bluefly for $1112.

Today will be devoted to lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! While some animal print patters overwhelm us, some can be done tastefully to add a little bit of attitude to what you wear. Let’s visit the good and the bad when it comes to animal print bags! Starting off with the leopard, one of the most recognized ’spotted’ cats; Dolce & Gabbana gives animal print a try. The Dolce & Gabbana “Miss Doll” Shopping Tote mixes together the soft touch of white Celtic leather along with leopard print canvas. Not to worry ladies, this is merely a canvas bag and no real cat was used in the making. Dolce & Gabbana accents this tote with goldtone hardware and a D&G plaque on the front, along with double top handles, satin lining with a zip pocket, and dangling goldtone D&G charms. Measuring 9 ¾”H X 13 ¾”L X 4 ¾”W, this animal print bag is minimalistic and could accent any simple outfit for a night on the town with the girls (or the guys!). Pre-order this tote via Saks for $1225.

Note: Notice how leopards get down and dirty… Ouch! No thanks