Totes

Sometimes you don’t want everyone to notice you and your bag. The days I want to be noticed, I dress up nice and sport one of my most coveted bags. But some days I roll out of bed, realize I have about 8 million errands to run and I just want to do them. Not that a simple bag can’t get you noticed, but I think everyone needs a simple practical bag. Who would have thought that D&G could bring that to us? The Dolce & Gabbana Camel Suede Buckle Tote Bag is made from beautiful soft suede with chrome hardware. On either side of the bag you will find two small flap pockets and the front has a buckle closure. On the inside you will find one compartment and one zip pocket along with racy leopard pattern fabric lining. This bag measures precisely W 12.80″ x H 11.02″x D 3.54″. For the simple girl on the move, buy this tote bag through Forzieri for $859.

Juicy Couture bags seem to be hit or miss. Take the Juicy Couture Metallic Day Dreamer Tote. This large gathered pink terry cloth bag does not even pass in my mind as a beach bag. I just don’t like the look of it. Of course, because metallic can’t get our of style just yet, the shoulder straps, piping, trim, and satin ribbon are all bronze metallic. The outside has a pocket for your convenience along with one inside pocket. While the design of this bag just doesn’t cut it for me, it is the slogan on the bag that really sends me over the edge. Can you imagine what your father would say to see you carrying around a bag that reads, “Some Like It Juicy”? I know no matter how I explained this slogan, it would just always seem so wrong. This politically incorrect bag measures 11″H X 11¼”L X 6¼”W and can be purchased through Saks for $175.

First of all sorry for the snail like movement on the site this week. Vlad and I were busy catching up and taking care of some much needed other business! But we are now back, and so is the return of Viewer’s Choice Monday’s! (Don’t forget to let us know what you would like to see for next week!!) Without the help of Chemlex, I would never have been as aware of Rafe bags as I am now. Thanks for opening all of our eyes! Chemlex has not only picked the Rafe Recoleta Gina Medium Tote in Bronze as her bag of the week, but also splurged and bought the beauty. This tote gives off a bit of a western feel with a sophisticated touch. Made from pearlized deerskin with metallic floral appliqués, tassels, and hand whip-stitch details, this bag can help you accessorize perfectly for a casual day or when you’d like to play dress up. Believe it or not, the bag is named after the classy neighborhood of Recoleta in Buenos Aires. Anyone been there? Not I, but I am sure I’d like it. This tote may not look huge in the picture (well obviously not since this is completely sized down, but you know what I mean) but measures a bigger tote size of 19″x15.5″x3″. Buy this chic number through Shop Twigs for $795.

If there is any basic bag type that I would advise every woman to have (and why not some men too!), it is the tote. Why you may ask? Well because of its versatility. Honestly, who doesn’t need a big bag to lug around everything important in your life? From college to mommies to the work force, a tote will help you out. As many of you know, I’m a lover of big bags. In my dream world, when I see a bag that I love, I would be able to buy it right away. So for my dream today, I would be buying and awaiting a new tote from Valentino. The Valentino Buffalo Handle Bag is perfectly designed from tan buffalo with corded trim and tan stitching. The focal point of the bag is where the handles meet the body of the bag. Here you will find wooden rings with blue rhinestone accents. That is simply to die for. Many of us always want a practical tan bag, but would love for it to have a little something extra. To me, this bag is near perfect and I am drooling over here- just ask Vlad . The body of the bag is pieced and the rest of the hardware and studs are golden which compliments the tan perfectly. This bag measures 9″H x 15″W x 5″D. I wish my dream would come true today, because I would definitely buy this bag. So if any of you want to make my dream day come true, or of course you could just be selfish and make your own come true- but put me, wait I mean yourself on the pre-order list for $1650 through Bergdorf Goodman.

I never realized how much I love blue bags until recently. I must admit the first time I really fell in love with a blue bag was on the beautiful Paddington, but lately I have been finding some more bags that catch my eye with a blue hue. Blame it on the awful Midwest weather, but I have a thing for the color blue lately. The Jimmy Choo Leather Tote mixes a simple creamy navy calfskin with audacious golden hardware. The bag isn’t just sporting a little bit of hardware, but nearly an auxiliary of it. Wham-bam- thank-you-mam! Jimmy Choo is able to give you lots of bang for your buck- with two straps laced around the grommet-detailed top. The bag doesn’t give me the blues, rather makes me quite happy (despite the awful grey skies outside that have not and will not part until March). Measuring 12″H x 15 1/2″W x 7 1/2″D, this tote may float your boat for some new shoulder fashion. Available via pre-order through Bergdorf Goodman for $1850.

I find it adorable when a mom and daughter wear something that matches. Call me corny if you want to, but I can’t resist it. Even better if it is a preppy little tote bag. The Lacoste Canvas Tote bag comes in both large and mini, and while the mini is not said to be for little girls, wouldn’t it be cute? The Lacoste Large Canvas Logo Tote would be easy to carry on your way out the door to get the kids to and from wherever or just for a day of errands. The tote is either available in blue/green or red/blue and is laid out with a cream canvas. Of course there are the cute little crocs all over the tote. The tote gleams with silver metal hardware, has an open top, and measures 15″H x 27″W x 6 1/2″D. But the large tote for mommie (or really for whoever) via Neiman Marcus for $125.

Now we come to the mini-me, which I still think would be so cute to have the little girl matching mommie or sisters matching one another. The Lacoste Mini Canvas Tote is also available in the red/blue or blue/green scheme and is on a cream canvas with larger crocodile print. This bag also has the silver metal hardware and open top. The mini measures 15 3/10″H x 21 1/2″W x 9″D. Wait a bloody minute- how can a mini measure nearly the same as the large… Ok anyhow. Buy the so-called mini through Neiman Marcus for $95.

** Note: After a long night out celebrating with friends and family, I realize that either I am incredibly more dumb than I thought, or the measurements for these bags are off. Maybe in my ‘late night out’ state I really read into the fact that large should mean big and mini should mean small. Looks to me like my post makes no sense and is not justifiable because the dimensions of the bag are so similar. Can this be true? Not to mention, if they are the same size why the $30 difference in price. Someone explain… and also, if this is incredibly ridiculous- don’t be too harsh with me. It’s been a long and wonderful night!!

Some of us are a little southern or have a little southern twang. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m kind of a country girl. Well, that is a lie. I’m quite the city girl, but I do like to believe I have a little country in me somewhere. If you like to think the same thing or if you are just trying to get in on the Western style vibe out there, there is a bag I’d love for you to look at. The Carlos Falchi Laser-Cut Tote has a rugged name along with its rugged look. This tote is crafted from pearlized smoke pebble-grain leather with red/rust/gold/green/and purple floral embroidery and some colorful whipstiching trim. It all sounds like a bit much, because it is a bit much. But for some this laser- cut scroll pattern tote may be just that country piece you have been looking for. I have the awful problem of being able to picture myself wearing so many bags with a few outfits, but the truth is there is no way I can afford that. With all its jazz, this bag may warm up to the country girl in you- or make the city girl in you realize why you like the city. Either way this bag can be purchased through Neiman Marcus for $795.

With the handbag boom, it seems to be a challenge to find reasonably priced bags. Reasonably priced is quite the oxymoron. To many of us handbag lovers, the word reasonable would mean the bag made it under a grand (that is in comparison to many of the hit bags out there). My mom still looks at me shaking her head and rolling her eyes when I show her bags that I love. My dad’s reaction is even worse. He finds bags “ridiculous”. They are one of my passions- and probably one of yours too, so we understand this pricing a bit more. I understand it, doesn’t mean I always like it or can afford it. If you are looking for a black bag that won’t make your wallet completely black (as in empty), consider this edgy Furla Large Drawstring Shopper. Made from black leather and accented with silver metal hardware and studs, this bag has a little extra something than an ordinary black bag. The shoulder straps are connected to the bag by rings, and the bag closes with a drawstring top. I kinda like this bag- it is a little different but still chic and practical. Buy it via Neiman Marcus for $345.

Any of you ready for an affordable bag? I know I am. I have this bad habit during holiday shopping. Tell me if any of you do the same thing. My typical shopping day goes something like this… I walk into the store and go right towards the gifts that I was planning on getting for my friends and family. Once I start buying them, I realize how left out I feel. Where is my gift I think to myself. This turns into my buying myself a well deserved gift. Do I need it? No. But I just feel so left out for my own self, so I get myself something too. Bad bad habit. That is why I chose to shop in one day as quick as I can. That way, I can try not to indulge myself too much. Shopaholic anonymous is calling my name, I know. But I wouldn’t feel as bad splurging in this Marc by Marc Jacobs Canvas Bow Tote which could easily be for myself or a good holiday gift.

If you would like to find a very reasonably priced bag which could perk up an ordinary outfit, Marc may cut it for you. The Marc by Marc Jacobs Canvas Bow Tote would be perfectly cute for spring. Implementing the use of a large bow adds a feminine fun touch to the front of the tote. While the bag is offered in solid or striped canvas, I definitely would opt for the flirtier striped canvas. The interior of the bag has cotton twill lining and is either striped or solid (opposite of what the outside is). Inside you will also find an interior pocket with a button closure. The tote measures 13″ x 11″ x 5″. Simple and fun is what the bag is to me. For such a cute simple bag with a cute simple price, I am thinking I might need to order one as a gift for a friend. Buy it through eLuxury for $138.

Let me again take the time to welcome me back. Welcome back me! I hope you all had a great weekend and are still enjoying all the leftovers. Lucky for me, South Florida missed me more than anything so of course I had to reintroduce myself to the mall, the beach, and the sun . Now I’m back to all of you. Let’s all try to remember way back to the days of grade-school in art class. Did you ever do the 2-pictures in one? The one where you had the pictures fanned differently from each side so you could see one picture from one angle, and the other from a different angle? I’m thinking I didn’t explain this well enough, but it is just like the fans we all made. You got the piece of paper and folded in one way, then back the other, and next thing you knew you had a fan. Well these pictures were similar. Now I have found a bag that looks just like that style too (if you are lost, just keep smiling and blame it on all of the sun I got this weekend).

For a designer that is so huge, I have not mentioned Armani bags enough at all. The Armani Collezioni Plisse Leather Tote reminds me of the fans that I was talking about. Not that I don’t like the bag, but I don’t quite see how it is costing what it does. This funky fan pattern is derived from cognac (tan) plissé leather with natural canvas trim. Kinda a cool combo, and pretty much a different look. Golden hardware adds a little bling to the pattern along with the shoulder straps that attach to the bag with rings. This tote is big enough to use for an everyday tote and is simplistic enough to go with just about every outfit (12″H x 13 1/2″W x 5″D). Where I get a bit confused is the price tag. This bag is not strictly leather, and doesn’t have a whole lotta extra doo-dads to make me want to pay $1,460 for via Bergdorf Goodman. Blame it on my being broke, but this bag just seems a bit pricey for what they are offering (now that I look at it, it looks a little bit cheap or like some sort of foam rather than leather). What do you think?