July 2008 Archives

I know this just looks like a whatever bag in this picture but when you touch and feel it, you will totally melt! It is seriously the SOFTEST leather you will ever glean across your hand. I seriously doubt my baby's bottom is softer than this, not kidding. It is so ultra light, too!!! Also, what you are not seeing are the straps, they are woven crocodile, which explains (kind of) for the $4000 price tag. I know that sounds like a lot for a hobo but this is the kind of bag you make your best friend for life. You will live in this thing (well, it certainly is big enough)! There is a taupey brown that is the new grey for Fall, that is the one I fell in love with - the crocodile straps are in a contrasting dark brown so you get more of a bang for paying for that croc. I am still waffling on this because of the price, I mean, I can get an entire croc for $4000 but of course it won't be a Bottega. Get this at Bottega Veneta online, $4000 or you can also get Bottega Veneta at Net a Porter

Guest Blog by Jackie Bolin
When a fashion designer moves into handbags it can go either way; but much like everything he does, Alexander Wang’s foray into accessories is a smash hit. The San Francisco born, New York based kid wonder has debuted his first collection of bags for fall 2008 and the cool, functional styles are exactly what we’ve all been searching for! That perfect leather tote, sturdy enough for a laptop but chic enough to carry forever, an oversized fold over clutch with zip up compartments so you can actually fit things in it and petite slouchy bags with chain straps to carry at night. Each piece is constructed from 100% leather (that perfect kind that beats up beautifully) in Wang's typical palette of black and grey with an occasional surprise here and there: the clutch in vivid purple or a chain strap bag completely covered in long goat hair. The collection, which starts at around $500 for small styles and goes up to $750 for a tote or backpack, is making its debut in the best boutiques and department stores NOW. And we suspect A-list model, Maybelline girl and Wang muse Erin Wasson weighed in on the collection – she was spotted carrying one way back in January and the look is the perfect mix of street and sweet. At V.O.D Boutique. Call 214-754-0644. Alexander Wang also at Net-a-porter.com.

As Kelly said, I am in LA having loads of fun. We took a meeting yesterday at the Sunset Marquis (it was trés LA) and then headed to Neiman Marcus after (but of course). I was really good, I only bought make up because I splurged on the crocodile birkin and ricky wallet so I told myself no more shopping for at least a month. I did, however, get my shopping thrill by convincing Kelly to buy the super cool Marni Balloon bag in purple, it had her name all over it so she had to have it! Plus she'll need it for Fashion Week in September :) I thought we were done and were about to leave when I saw this beauty from Chanel. OH.MY.GOD! Sueded Alligator in a gorgeous finish, silver with golden sheen on top-- to die! If you have never stroked sueded Alligator skin, you are missing out my friends. Of course it is off limits to me (I will have to commit myself to the insane asylum if I buy another bag this month) but it doesn't mean I can't dream! There is only one in US and it's priced at a mere $35,695 (so if you don't really need a new car, you can go for this totally frivolous but oh so fabulous bag instead!) Call Gary Disney at NM Beverly Hills 310-550-5900 EXT 2042 or his cell 818-284-8862 and tell him Bag Snob sent you.

Tina is in LA this week so of course we stopped at Neiman Marcus. I saw this purple Marni bag before she arrived and marveled at the new take on the balloon bag that I love so much. The size and wide opening is much easier to deal with and the contrasting acetate handle with the cool 20's vibe was totally calling out to me. The handles don't attach all the way around so the handle appears to be floating. Very cool! The best part is that the shoulder strap is not the yucky canvas of the old balloon bag, this is thick robust bovine leather and has the same hardware as the belts from the coats and jackets in the collection. In other words, you will want to use the shoulder strap! It goes comfortably across the body, perfection for city girls and suburban moms alike. And of course, the purple is the best part of this bag!! You girls asked for more purple, well this one, called Wineberry, is the BEST purple in the overflowing sea of purple this Fall. So after showing Tina this bag she insisted that I HAD to get it. See, you do not want to shop with her, she is a bad bad influence. I now realize how I was able to buy a house, we no longer live in the same city!! Available at Neiman Marcus for $1960 but it is not on their website yet. Call Gary Disney at the Beverly Hills NM at 310-550-5900 EXT 2042 or bug him on his cell at 818-284-8862. Tell him Bag Snob sent you.

Read it and weep my darlings. Carrie Underwood strikes gold with the glittering gold version of my python bag. Carrie dined at Il Fornaio with her nephews and strolled the streets of Beverly Hills - toting this rare and ultra-glamorous handbag. Although unavailable for purchase in the United States, Gerard Darel python bags are quickly becoming a favorite among A-List celebrities. Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz, Halle Berry, Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria Parker, Ashlee Simpson, and Katherine Heigl are just a few of the big-name Hollywood starlets who carry the French designer. $3,400 retail when it hits stateside.

Photo: Courtesy of Gerard Darel

Tod's is on fire this Fall with bag after fabulous bag! I feel especially proud of Derek Lam for finding his groove at the Italian luxury brand :) I arrived in LA yesterday and am looking forward to many nice dinners with friends and family (went to Anisette last night-- a robust and very authentic French bistro in Santa Monica that made me feel as if I was back in Paris-- with two of my oldest and closest friends. Love being back, only in LA can you dress up on a Monday night and find the city alive and jumping!). When I started packing for my LA trip, I found myself stuffing multiple clutches in my suitcase just for these occasions! Clutches are so easy to travel with-- especially in yummy bright exotics. They add a little color and a lot style to any outfit (in my case, summer travel gear of jeans and floaty tops along with little dresses). These lizard clutches from Tod's will kick start any wardrobe, and the plummy purple will be amazing both now and through Fall. You gotta love the innovative clasp on the flap which makes the clutch even more chic and interesting, it is also a roomy sized clutch so I can use it for lunch, too. At Tod's Boutiques worldwide- call Justin 214-363-6600

Beauty Snob has the Best of the Best: Self-Tanning!
Tot Snob has the Crib Rock Concert Tees Giveaway!
Purse Blog loves the Michael Kors Python Clutch!
The Thoughtful Dresser has the Booker Prize Long List!
Fab Sugar has the scoop on Fegie's Shoe Debut In Vega's!

Bottega Veneta Foldover Pouchette $580, now $406; Marni Large Balloon $1620, now $1215

So far the Fall bags have either been too pricey or not yet available to me so I have to go back to sale shopping. I thought I was done with sales, usually extra money is reserved for June so that I can take advantage of all the savings (why does this only make sense to women?) but I'm finding myself with nothing to buy for the money earmarked for July and it's already the 29th! Well, good thing I did because now I can pick up these 2 bags that have been shelved in hopes of finding better bags later in the season but were then forgotten. This is like finding cash in the pocket of a coat you haven't worn in a long time! Cuz now these bags are super cheap and they are not those bags you buy because they seem like a bargain but then you end up not using them because they only looked good "for the price". These are essential pieces that I have been wanting and needing! The Bottega Veneta is easy, who can't use a little bag like that? But the Marni is the one I have been pining for! I know, I feel like a fraud because after all that gushing over the Balloon, I still don't have one!!! Well, now I do =) There are still a lot of great bags but please stay clear of those that look "good for the price" like the Fendi Patchwork tote. Yikes! It would have to be free to look good for the price. Bottega Veneta Foldover Pouchette, $406 and Marni Large Balloon $1215 at Net-a-Porter.

I know this is not the cutest thing but before you hoot and holler about how gross this looks, think about how beautiful your most precious bag is (Tina and your new croc birkin). And now think about torrential down pour on your bag. Yeah, that's right. I have used things that look worse than this to cover up my bag in times of peril. Rain Couture is a plastic bag that protects your darling bag and it folds up and tucks itself into the front pocket for convenience. It comes in 11 colors but none are going to be nearly as cute as your least favorite bag, not even the Coach patchwork bucket tote your mother in law gave you for Christmas =) You just have to grin and bear it until the sky clears. The small is $69 (17" x 15") and the large is $79 (20" x 18"), check them out at Rain Couture. I hate to follow up Tina's awesome post on Croc Fever with this thing, so make sure to keep scrolling down to see it!

I apologize for waiting so long to share my new purchases, but I have been trying to regroup after my Europe trip and now preparing for my upcoming LA-Philadelphia-New York trips starting today so this just completely slipped my mind! So (drumroll....), my latest croc obsessions are items that I think all of you will agree are timeless "Must haves". The Hermes Crocodile Birkin in Havane with Palladium Hardware and the Ralph Lauren Ricky clutch/wallet in hot pink crocodile-- both are out of this world fabulous! Without saying, the Hermes birkin made of ten year old niloticus crocodile from Africa is just divine. I have never felt croc skin that was more buttery or smooth in my entire life! This bag is the ultimate birthday gift not to mention a serious investment (I can sell it right now for double its retail price-- that's what I tell my hubby anyway so don't you tell him otherwise!). But the Ralph Lauren Ricky clutch/wallet in sophisticated true pink crocodile comes a very close second! (Jump for more photos!)

Ricky Wallet At Ralph Lauren (also in white croc). Call Dana 214-522-5270.