Wristlets (Page 2)

If you have ever been to Columbus, Ohio you will know that great weather is somewhat hard to come by. I landed here late last night and woke up to gorgeous weather! I am still in shock that the sun is out and it really looks like spring. The mission right now is to find a great bright handbag. Hot colors for spring and summer and yellow and green. Right now I have an order on a green Prada Bag, and would love to add a little bit of yellow to my wardrobe. Incredibly cheap, mighty chic, and adding just the perfect amount of sunshine to your day, Marc Jacobs has brought us the Marc by Marc Jacobs Leather Wristlet. Oddly enough, this little wristlet has me totally in love. There is not a ton of fuss, merely gold hardware, a decorative turn clasp on the front, a wrist strap, and bright yellow leather. You can not even tell me that this is not a perfect yellow addition for your spring and summer wardrobe. Throw it on for a night out and brighten up your outfit, mood, and style. Via Net A Porter for $168.

It’s all about hand-held bags. They may life easy, keep those arms and shoulders from hurting, and can be flung on the wrist like an over-sized dangling bracelet. I often travel with my Louis Vuitton Wapity which is a godsend. For a funky over sized clutch, the Jimmy Choo Foldover Calfskin Clutch is the perfect mix of shiny leather goodness and stylish gold tone hardware bling. The bigger the clutch the more that can be held, which is always a plus (dimensions are 9½”H X 13″L X 2″W). There is ample store room, including an outside zip pocket, interior zip pocket, and interior card pockets along with a wrist strap and suede lining. I’ve got an itch for this bag; playful, young, rocker, practical, and or sale through Saks for $1250.

I recently read that the handbag industry is booming. Well duh, I could have told you that. But along with a booming industry comes skyrocketing prices. Sometimes it becomes overwhelming. Personally, I can’t afford this industry all the time. I’d love to buy every bag that I love, but I unfortunately did not win the lotto last night, so this option is not feasible. What is feasible is a practical wristlet that is in a totally affordable range. The Marc by Marc Jacobs Eyelet Leather Wristlet is small, cute, and affordable. Designed from dusty red soft washed leather and accented with brass eyelets, this wristlet is perfect for small accessory wear. Honestly who does not need a wristlet or two or 15? We all need at least one because it makes life on the go or a night out so much easier. The leather wrist strap only adds more fun with brass links and eyelets. There is a small patch pocket under the flap and the wristlet shows off a coin-purse frame. Upon opening it, you will find floral print cotton lining. Measuring a mere 5″ x 4″ x 1″, this wristlet would be able to hold your keys, credit cards and ID, cash, and your cellie (that is of course if it is a Razr or something similar in size). Small but cute and feasible, buy this little accessory by Marc for $128 through eLuxury.

Over the weekend I went to a crafty store/restaurant with two of my mom’s sisters. This place was a barn turned into a craft store, and every woman across the Midwest was there on Sunday. The ratio of women to men was about 1,345:1. And that 1 was definitely and infant boy. Either way, all those crafts are cute but I did realize I could probably make many of them. I asked myself why I don’t, and realized the answer was simple; there are other people that will do it for me instead. Score. But as I ventured to the clothing and accessory side of this place, I did run into some cute and some not so cute handbags. I was surprised to see an actual brand of bags there. It is a brand I never heard of, but it is a brand after all- and it has very fun bags.

SHIH Handbags use texture and material to get their distinctive bags to be seen. The bag that I saw was the SHIH Handbags Medium Tote in turquoise. This tote is quite fun in my opinion- more of something to throw on with jeans and a little white tee on my way to the park or store. Soft gold metal mesh is what really gives this quilted satin tote its style (if you opt for the black bag, there is silver tone hardware). The single shoulder strap also shows off the metal mesh pattern which I find so fun. After you open the zip top, you will find satin lining and zip pocket. This fun bag measures 13″ wide x 5″ deep x 9 1/2″ high and the shoulder strap has a drop of 12″. Buy the turquoise for $179.95 via Zappos or the black also for $179.95 via Zappos.

If you want your bag to be nothing but bling, there is a bigger gold tote that may suit your liking. The SHIH Oversize Tote will have you shining like its still summer. I can’t really put my finger on why I like these bags, but I just do. Something about the over-the-top glam and shine draws me in. Made of gold quilted satin and gold tone soft metal mesh, this bag is large enough for your pet dog and then some (16″ wide x 6″ deep x 14 1/2″ high). That’s a big bag. The inside is lined in satin and there is a zip pocket and key fob. This big glitz n’ glam gold bag is available throughZappos for $199.95.

And to finish these SHIH bags off, there is a perfect size wristlet. Many of you may think these bags are a bit too much; if you are one of those people, the wristlet may be just right for you. When you are looking to add lots of flavor for a night on the town, a glamorous piece of hand candy will not hurt. Made of gold quilted satin and gold tone soft mesh with a convertible strap, this little handbag is my pick for a night out with the ladies. The final dimensions are 9″ wide x 1/2″ deep x 5″ high. If the totes were a bit too much to handle for you, try the wristlet for $63.95 via Zappos.

I just received a thank-you card from my cousin Maddie in the mail for her high school graduation gift. She told me I had to write about the wristlet I got her, so here I am. Actually I can’t believe I did not mention this chic little wristlet by Coach earlier. My cousin, like many of you out there, is not a huge fan of a signature print (Like the C’s on Coach bags, etc). So when I was shopping for her, I wanted to get her something small and practical to use in college that was not hugely flashy. This is where the Coach Hamptons Leather Large Wristlet came into play. As I walked into Coach and gandered at the wristlets (because what college girl would not need a wristlet for everyday use), I realized most of the wristlets were full of the Coach Signature ‘C’ logo pattern. But then I saw this beauty. The Hamptons leather wristlet showed off perforated detail and pebbled leather. It was exquisite. The wristlet draws attention to its buckle tab with magnetic snap closure, is lined with the signature Coach lining, and contains a 12” strap with clip for attaching to the inside of a larger bag or to form a wrist strap. Sizing up at 7 3/8 (L) x 4 (H) the wristlet comes in azure (blue), palm (green- which I bought for her), and yellow. Available at Coach for $78.

Congrats on your graduation Maddie!!

Megs and I, we both *love* Coach. Reasons are several, the style, the colors, the price, the quality, and many more. Another aspect that strikes us positively is that they keep releasing mid-season styles for bags in their signature shapes. Recall the Valentine’s Day specials or the Soho line? The brand-spankin’ new Coach Patchwork Bags take a different approach. For all those gals who just can’t decide what they like better, calfskin, some metallic accents, swank suede, the new tie dye canvas or their signature fabric, Coach is now making the choice ridiculously easy by combining all of the mentioned in the Patchwork line. Awesome! I think it’s just absolutely fabulous, very sporty looking and perfect for the everyday business of yours. The tote on the very left is the Coach Signature Patchwork Shoulder Tote and weighs in at $378 through Coach directly. The Coach Signature Patchwork Wristlet is their patched up interpretation of the beloved classic and goes for a mere $78 bucks. Lastly, on the right, we gots the Signature Patchwork Demi, the mid-sized handbag by Coach for $198.

Verdict: We love ‘em all and can’t wait to get one for Lady Meggers! P.S. How would a matching Cruiser Hat look on me? Just kidding.

Abbey Branch introduced the Knoll collection with fine textiles designed by renowned grafitti artist Stephen Sprouse. Founded in 1947 by Florence Knoll and currently under the design direction of Suzanne Tick, Knoll offers advanced textiles by combining beauty and function in the most modernist fashion. In search of new modes of expression, Knoll frequently seeks the guidance of creative minds such as Sprouse, who has injected his well-known street style into the refined world of architecture.

The innovative Knoll Murphy wristlet reflects this young street style very well. The wristlet is crafted with Knoll’s signature extreme velvet textile and features a Svarovski crystal embedded nickel wrist chain. The magnetic closure tops off the modern package. Available for $120 at Abbey Branch directly, or through selected stores across the continental USA. While you’re at it, browse their Silver 5 and Karim Rashid collections. Worth a very close peak.