Tory Burch Valentine’s Day Collaboration

Valentine’s Day is around the corner and I am thrilled! Not only am I a sucker for a day devoted to telling those close to you that you love them, but also my anniversary is a week later. February really is a month filled with love. One of our favorite designers, Tory Burch, teamed up with renowned artist Leanne Shapton to design an exclusive collection of items for Valentine’s Day. The collection is made up of cosmetic cases, totes and pajama sets.

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A Heart on Your Sleeve for Valentine’s Day

Believe it or not, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I am a fan of the day of romance, in spite of the overblown commercialism. A true romantic at heart I adore all things pink, girly, and sweet – but all in good taste of course. And even better if there is an edge to the sweetness! Can you say Lanvin? Well I’ve scouted out some heart inspired handbags and accessories to get in the mood for Valentine’s Day. I’d much rather receive a handbag than perfume or candy, wouldn’t you?

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Giuseppe Zanotti Multi Studded Clutch

It has been quite some time since I’ve given serious thought to a loud and attention grabbing clutch. Usually, I go for a sleek design or one with maybe an aspect or two that grabs my attention. However, like many of you, there are times when I step outside my handbag comfort zone and at least entertain the idea of something I wouldn’t typically carry. This happens to be just that kind of clutch.

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Diane von Furstenberg Nancy Large Shopper Bag

Ok, so, I just got back from vacation and I am trying to get back to normal. You know what it is like coming home after a fabulous vacation. I am a bit tired but continue to run through all of the fun I had. Since my vacation was in a tropical spot, I was surrounded by great swimsuits, sunglasses, cover-ups and of course, totes. I had a cute, fun bag to carry to the pool and beach, but I saw some others that I wished were mine. Oh, and then there was one lady who carried her Balenciaga City Bag to the pool. Not something I’d do, would you?

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Rebecca Minkoff makes Bracelets!

I know, I know, you were hoping to see another fabulous Rebecca Minkoff bag. But, as you might have been aware, the designer has branched out with a line of flirty clothing and fierce leather and metal bracelets. I personally adore what Rebecca Minkoff has done with the small collection of bracelets- in an interesting Hermes-esque turn, she’s managed to connect the general feel of the bracelets to the current handbags, creating a cohesive group including both the bags and the bracelets.

Take the intricate Flowerstud Bracelet, for instance. It perfectly matches the reinvention of the studs on the Linear Stud Rocker Bag by pairing small and big studs in linear patterns. Perhaps next we’ll see mixed-metal studs on a bracelet? I’d like that.

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Paris Haute Couture Week: Elie Saab

To finish out Paris Couture Week, I thought it might be nice to have something that’s not at all intellectual or challenging. If as many of you guys go out on Thursday nights as the people in my group of friends, then Friday morning is not the time to be looking at and making sense of Difficult Fashion. No no, Friday is the time for obvious things.

So, for the princess/teenage prom-goer/Oscar-winner in all of us, Elie Saab Haute Couture has the beaded, tulle’d ball gown that we’ve always wanted. In case you don’t have an occasion to which to wear a ball grown, there are a few super sparkly, pastel cocktail dresses as well, but don’t worry, they don’t skimp on the beading or tulle. Ever for someone like me, an Alexander McQueen fangirl that likes things dark and edgy if at all possible, it’s unquestionably fun to drool over something girl and light every now and then. Here’s your chance, folks.

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Treesje The Revealed Studded Satchel

It’s very rare that I have anything negative to say about Treesje bags, and if that was what you were hoping for today, I’m about to disappoint you. Move along. Nothing to see here. Besides this beautiful bag, of course.

The Treesje The Revealed Studded Satchel is similar to a lot of the brand’s bags that we’ve seen in the past because it employs two of their signatures: tonal texture and studs. The best thing about it, however, is that the designers chose to use the studs in such a way that they won’t look dated once industrial finishes become a little less popular.

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Fab or Drab: Burberry Tumbled Tote

As of late I have been finding more reasons to love Burberry. Their leather bags continue to not only be fashionable and current but also affordable. And now I found a new Burberry bag that I want so badly to like but can’t help but look at it and see jean pockets.

I know many designers put two pockets on the front of their bags. This is nothing new. But there are times when I see a bag with pockets on the front that has me feeling like I am staring at a pair of jeans. And I am not sure the belted top detail helps the Burberry Tumbled Leather Tote look less like half a torso of someones body. Nevertheless, the bag still has many likable features.

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Paris Haute Couture Week: Jean Paul Gaultier

To (very loosely) paraphrase the great Raymond Carver, Jean Paul Gaultier is what we talk about when we talk about couture. In a week of shows that have left me at times both dazzled and underwhelmed (Valentino, I’m looking at you), Gaultier showed up just in time to remind us all exactly why we’re here: because only a handful of people on the face of the planet are capable of so masterfully creating clothes that make us dream.

That’s exactly what we got with this woven, corseted, sombrero’d Mexico-meets-Avatar collection of things that no one could ever wear out into the real world, except for maybe Daphne Guinness and Lady Gaga. But the beauty of couture is that no one needs to wear most of it, which unshackles the designers and enables them to create truly resplendent and inspiring clothes-art without the burden of functionality (or the burden of reality, for that matter).

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Alexander Wang Rocco Baby Duffel Bag

This is Amanda, your resident Alexander Wang fangirl, reporting from the front lines again. We’re at that precarious time of year when spring bags could drop any day, and it looks like ShopBop just got an enormous shipment of new stuff from my one true bag love (you know, besides Balenciaga and Valentino).

Thusly, I would like to present to you ladies (and gentlemen), the Alexander Wang Rocco Baby Duffel Bag. Look kind of familiar? Yeah, well, it should.

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Paris Haute Couture Week: Valentino

I’m…I’m underwhelmed. And a little sad, maybe. But mostly confused. Is this what Valentino Haute Couture is supposed to look like? Are they serious? I think we’ve been tricked. Fooled. Bamboozled.

It kind of reminds me of what would happen if Balenciaga and Valentino had a baby (the term ‘Valenciaga’ has already been coined elsewhere, I can’t take credit for it), and a few of the tight minidresses are reminiscent of Herve Leger, particularly with the neon inserts that were also in the previous Leger spring collection. Which is all fine and good, except neither of those designers make couture – they do a dandy job at pret-a-porter, but this is couture week, people.

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Mulberry Alexa vs Proenza Schouler PS1

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Back in September when the first sighting of Alexa Chung with her namesake bag, the Mulberry Alexa, surfaced, Purse Forum members began discussing the similarity between it and the Proenza Schouler PS1. It makes sense that they did, because there are definite similarities in the design. In fact, once the Mulberry Alexa started to show up online, the main buzz surrounded the likeness between the two.

Let’s take a closer look to see what the two bags have in common and what is different, shall we?

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