I can't remember the last time I was this excited about a Marc Jacobs bag, by either the diffusion line or the main one! Actually, I've never been excited by a Marc by Marc Jacobs bag. This Leola Hobo is the perfect mix of trendy playfulness and polished design. The zipper has undeniably replaced the studs this season but instead of randomly throwing zippers for the sake of the trend, this design incorporates it in an elegant asymmetrical style. $495 at Neiman Marcus.
I am surrounded by pregnant friends lately; I just hosted a baby shower this weekend for my former assistant (remember Bag Snob Allison?), my attorney is pregnant, I have a friend due this Thursday and Kelly's sister just had a baby. So even though my own son is 5 years old, I am constantly on the look out for chic totes that can pull double duty as diaper/baby bags as well. I came across Tory Burch's Bijou tote the other day and instantly thought, now why didn't I have that when my son was still a baby? It's a stylish tote with just a touch of chain detail and great extras like the side pockets that are perfect for, yup you guessed it-- bottles! No more spillage inside your bag! It also looks Chanel-y (without the price tag) but has a casual chic-ness that is distinctly Tory Burch. And when your babe grows out of bottles and nappies, it will hold your sunglasses, iPhone and the Flip camera you'll want to keep handy to capture moments. TORY BURCH BIJOU TOTE comes in a navy snake print leather ($565) which looks very luxe but it's the cognac Cognac leather BIJOU TOTE ($495) that I love! What do you think of Tory's bags of late? I say total Snob!
OK, this is not a Valentine's Day per se but the colors sure make me romantic and wanting some champagne to go with! For a fun holiday like Valentine's, I don't expect an over the top gift, but the soft pink and metallic silver on something considerate and practical like the Cole Haan Village Hobo would make me happy enough to make it a happy day for him as well =) The interior is full of organizational pockets. At Cole Haan for $378.
Apparently fashion is indulging my love of bright colors for Spring 2010. People constantly ask me how to incorporate color into their bag wardrobe; it's actually quite easy as one does not need an excuse for a bright happy color plus it's an instant pick me up no matter your mood! So if your bag wardrobe is still awash in blacks and browns, I have the bag for you! Anya Hindmarch's Roslyn Patent Clutch in fuchsia patent leather is just the thing to kick up your spring wardrobe of floral swingy frocks (if you have not heard, it's all about flowers this spring). And it gets double bonus points for being just slightly over sized (9"wx6"h)-- I adore the look of a big clutch but not so large that it looks like I'm carrying a newborn.
I'm liking the Rock & Republic Newport Clutch ($329) that Victoria Justice recently sported as a Frugal alternative to one from Hermes or Dior. Without looking like an actual knock-off, it combines the rocker-chic of a Dior bag thanks to the perforated leather with the classic shape and simple hardware touches from a more traditional brand like Hermes (I could only find the red version of the Rock & Republic clutch online, but it also comes in black like the one Justice opted for, though incidentally the actress/model could have used a clutch with some color to break-up her monochromatic look). For $329 I think this is a great buy!
What do you think about this Rock & Republic piece as a frugal alternative to a four-figure designer clutch?
What: Cole Haan women's and men's bags and shoes, up to 75% off retail, like the black leather Village small zip hobo for $100 instead of $250, a soft gold lambskin Phoebe large triple zip satchel for $239 instead of $598.
When: Saturday, January 23rd- Wednesday, January 27th
Sat-Tues - 9am-6:30pm
Weds - 9am-6:00pm
Where: Soiffer Haskin 317 West 33rd Street, NYC (Just West of 8th Ave)
Questions: 718-747-1656
Credit Cards Only
I'm on the fence about this Cheap Monday Big Envelope Bag ($55). I really want to want it, but it's just too big! I like the idea of taking an envelope clutch and expanding it to a messenger and the unique asymmetrical zipper opening is a nice touch, but the way it fits over the body just looks wrong. Plus the hardware on the adjustable strap looks very weak (I can imagine filling the bag with books and it ripping from the looks of it...). It's unfortunate too because if the messenger were just a touch smaller it could double as an over-sized clutch (and you wouldn't have to bother with the cheap strap...). Alas, I'm going to have to conclude that this bag is more of slob than a snob (not to mention, perhaps a bit too appropriately named!).
What do you think about this Cheap Monday messenger? Snob or Slob?
This is a very LA bag, well I saw it at Madison. But that doesn't mean it isn't open to residences of the world - you just have to have that casual, I don't look like I care about what I'm wearing but I still look awesome vibe. Kind of like Reese Witherspoon but her bags are always way snobby. The pocket, buckles and straps totally work for me. And Frugal Snobs rejoice, this is on sale thus making it the best kick around bag, only $297.50!! Plus it is in an easy to please raspberry, so you don't have to put that much effort on the rest of your outfit. At Madison Los Angeles.
It's so bitterly cold in NYC that I've been locked-up in my apartment way more than I should be. On the plus side its allowed me to greatly expand the depth of my online shopping:-) For starters I'm discovering a whole slew of new online boutiques (as hard as it is to branch away from the holy trinity that is Net-a-Porter, Shopbop, and Revolve), and among my new favorite sites is Pixie Market. One of the brands they stock is called Just FM. They mostly specialize in clothing (love this top!), but they've got some cute bags that retail for under $100. I bought the Circle Star Leather Bag ($89) a few weeks ago and it's my new go-to over-sized coin purse for when I'm running downstairs for some quick errands. With all the snow and sleet, there tends to be a lot of splattering of gross water that ends up on your clothing, shoes, and bags, so it's nice to find a cute bag I don't need to worry about getting dirty.
What do you think about this frugal buy? Snob or Slob?
This is such a cool bag! Doesn't it almost look like it could be a McQueen? The strategy is to start the New Year off slowly, with a Frugal Snob bag and not blow your entire year's budget all up front. You will be left on the sidelines with itchy fingers all year long! No good, too torturous. But it's not as if you'll be compromising by being financially responsible, this Trace design is amazingly hip. Probably not the most practical with the top of the bag strapped down but it looks so edgy, I don't even care. I'm sure you can still get the zipper open with the straps done. You wouldn't want to have loose straps, it would ruin the look. I normally steer clear of black but in this case, it works so much better. At Neiman Marcus for an easy to stomach $425.
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