January 2009 Archives

Here is a bag that looks way better being walked around, it has a total young hip vibe if you dress it down and maybe even a little frayed (I don't do ripped jeans but that's the idea). As a matter of fact, this strategy is a great way to fight the recession. You get a really great bag like this, or another one that is slightly serious (but it has to be classic) and you dress like a bum and voila you are now super model Agyness Deyn. Although the price of this might be counter indicative to my plan. It has a really cool engineered look with the chunky hardware, which I normally do not like, but it is working for me because it isn't all over and the balls make it feminine, whereas if they were nuts and bolts a la Zac Posen then it isn't. The tote is an essential so it should stay classic but it also needs to have a presence and this one definitely makes you take notice. At Celine Blossom Medium Tote for $2050.

UPDATE: Congratulations to Kathy D. of Shelby, N.C. for winning the Annie clutch and Frank P. of Dallas, TX for winning the Meissa Hobo.

Thank you Adriana Castro for the sponsoring this fabulous giveaway. Bag Snob readers get 30% all merchandise with code "ACBAGSNOB".

After my python debacle with a sippy cup-- I decided it's time to seek a cheap and stylish canvas tote. I came across one from Bottega Veneta-- they've printed the iconic woven leather strips on canvas. Cute idea!  Except it's not very cheap at $960. I think the bag is fun but the price is outrageous for a canvas!  I'd be just as worried that things will spill in it because it costs so much plus I'd worry that the screen print will fade if I washed it too often or that it rip or tear. Oy, forget it. I'm sticking with using birkins and exotic totes for my run around bags. I don't want to wake up at 85 years old with a closetful of unused and pristine bags wondering why the hell I didn't just use them and live it up!  The printed canvas tote by BV is at Net-a-Porter.com What do you guys think? Snob or Slob?

What a surprise to see Victoria Beckham in something non-Hermes! The fact that we have similar taste in bags is beginning to feel creepy. Is she a Bag Snob fan or what? Must investigate. Anyhoo, I adore Nancy Gonzalez (she'll be making a virtual PA next month on our site!) but this oversized clutch Posh is toting on her way out to dinner is way too big for me (I have it in purple in a smaller version but still oversized). Nancy Gonzalez clutch $2800 at Saks.com

An oversized clutch is kind of like having your cake and eating it, too-- you get to stuff it full of your things yet still look chic.  But if it's too big you'll look like your cradling your baby, so make sure yours is proportionate to your stature!  What do you think of oversized clutches?

Stiletto Jungle- fabulously affordable spring cardigans.

Couture Snob- get sexy with Ferragamo Marigold Platforms for Valentine's Day!

Fab Sugar wants to know how easly you are persueded by sales people. Take the QUIZ and find out!

All About the Pretty interviews  Carol's Daughter.

Bag Bliss: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

KRISTOPHER - homeopathic-based Korres face makeup.

Coquette is loving the look of short rompers.

StyleBakery.com Valentine's Day gifts for less than $25

55 Secret Street - Kiehl's Deeply Repairative Hair Pak .

Beauty Snob shares her perfect brow secret from Cees Penning- The Brow Master!

Faye Dunaway thinks "Hilary Duff isn't a real actress" - Allie is Wired

Fashion Pulse Daily spotlights favorite looks from the Spring 2009 collection of Jason Wu.

Second City Style gave out their own awards on the SAG Awards red carpet.

Stylehive is in love with Marlies Dekkers' imaginative lingerie, just in time for Valentine's Day...

The Beauty Stop test drives the Ionic White teeth whitening system.

TheMakeupGirl is head over heels for Bobbi Brown's latest - Pure Romance - Blushed Pink.
The Shoe Goddess describes her love affair with a pair of hot pink satin YSL pumps!

I am becoming quite the fawning fan of Louboutin bags now that he is putting his magical touches on them. The simple but bold design is truly original, it is braided on one side and perforated dots on the other side! It is not heavy handed or gimmicky in any way, it's feminine, distinctive and functional on top of it! The 2 loose pockets on the ends are incredibly useful and the wide band strap will stay on and be comfortable. There is nothing more chic than a simple design that has just enough of oomph. The nude is THE color of the season, unless of course you are into 80's neon, then street sign yellow is for you, but this bag in the nude is perfect for showing off the details. At Luisaviaroma for $1230. Pretty reasonable considering his shoes are around the same price.

Something really terrible happened to my Tod's Helmut blue python tote last week. I was running out the door with three tots under the age of 4; had sippy cups and snacks for our walk to the park so I grabbed the biggest tote I could find without thinking and threw everything in it. A few minutes later I opened the bag and saw that my son's water bottle was open and 12 ounces of water was sloshing in my bag (which also had my Hermes Kelly wallet in it)! I screamed and dumped the water out immediately but it was too late, the damage was done. I hung my bag on a tree branch in the sun hoping to dry it (not kidding, the moms there thought I was a nut) and it helped a bit but still, my gorgeous python tote now has a dark water stain along the bottom of the bag (friends say it's not noticeable but I know it's there!).  I really could have used this stylish, functional, simple and fairly reasonably priced Marni Wrinkled shoulder bag that day.  It's large at 16"x13" but it'd be my "travel with the kids" bag plus it is soft and slouches a bit so it appears smaller.  This green one is fab but I saw one in dark brown that I love, too.   And see that very sturdy shoulder strap?  It will hold up the heaviest of magazines/laptop/books/toys!   Marni Wrinkled shoulder bag $900/£636 at Net-a-Porter.com

Beauty Snob-The heavenly scent of Molton Brown Celestial Maracuja.
Couture Snob- is enchanted with the Chanel Haute Couture.
Tot Snob- has the best Flip video mino HD camcorder!
Purse Blog- Chanel represented right!
Fab Sugar- Theyskens out, Copping in at Nina Ricci

Are there Rodeo Clowns in Utopia?  I heard Rodeo girls now do a western rendition of the Can Can-- perhaps after a few rounds of lap dancing, the bag was conceived.  I adore Roberto Cavalli's sexy hot gowns but who is advising him on the bag line?  Roberto, Caro Mio-- let me help you.  Please, I offer my services-- free.  Okay, so I really just want to party on your big yacht but we can have a bottle of bubbly or two and figure out a nice bag that all your chic friends will want to carry-- not just Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana, a 16 year old with an identity crisis.  Cavalli bags at Net-a-porter.com at Net-a-porter.com

What do you think of Roberto Cavalli's Utopia?  (jump for more photos!)

Maia N is really making a name for herself with a very strong Spring 2009 collection. I swore that I was not going to buy anymore bags for a while but after seeing these beauties, I may need to un-swear. I have an easy justification - these are definite classic collection worthy pieces that will last for generations. I'm over purple but that is a personal preference because it is still a very strong color. I just love the simple shape of this frame that has absolutely no other details except the beautiful croc! The Bibi frame croc is $7400.

The one that I actually will end up buying is the Ostrich Bowling bag. The bowling style is making a fierce comeback, it is a very easy style for everyday and the shape is functional. All that is basic and boring until you add in the ostrich! This is the only bag you will need, especially in this camel color. Oh, I don't think anyone can talk me out of this one. It is $5000 which sounds a bit steep but this is something that will last a lifetime. And did I mention this will be the only bag I'll be buying? ;-) To order, email Joanne at Maia N. You can get custom orders of these bags in other colors as well.