Tell Me About it, Stud

I've got chills
They're multiplying!

Studs are all the rage this fall. In some cases, studs sporadically provide a stark contrast to the rest of the bag, while in others, the overuse of studs make you wonder why the leather was there in the first place.

Below, an assortment of this season's hottest studded wonders.

The Minimalist
Badgley Mischka Platimum Label
Anu Structured Leather Hobo
$475 at Saks


















The Baby
Marc Jacobs
Stardust Rock Crossbody Bag
$995 at Saks










The Overkill
Be & D
Garbo Portfolio Shoulder Bag
$995 at Saks

Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

The town right next to the one where I grew up is called Chevy Chase. Yeah, like the actor/comedian. A few years ago, some luxury retailers and real estate developers decided it would be a good idea to erect among the most high-end of high-end shopping centers in the country in the middle of Chevy Chase, flanked by Saks on end and a fancy shmanzy restaurant on the other.

This small but imposing shopping center houses no less than the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Barney's, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany, and Bulgari, to name a few. Some call it "The Rodeo Drive of Chevy Chase."

A few weeks ago, while home for my mom's birthday, I took a quick stroll through many of Rodeo's shops to "do research." As I was walking through the beautiful valuted ceilings, plush carpeting, and heavily guarded front doors, I wondered if Louis Vuitton had somehow become a portal to a decimated ghost town in the old west, circa 1890.

For, you see, I was the only shopper in sight.

Sometimes I hate being the only person in a high-end store; I can practically feel the store associates judging me with their superior, smug, and snooty attitudes. This time, however, i hated it for a different reason: the smell of desperation in the air.

Oh, those poor, poor associates. Every time I walked into a new store, they swarmed like bees. Did I want to see anything? Could they help me with anything? Would I like to see that shoe in my size? It was as uncomfortable as taking the 6 train during rush hour. But at the same time, my heart went out to them.

In Dior, the CDBee Cannage Deerskin Tote immediately caught my eye. Simple, stylish, and a little bit sparkly - in all, a beautiful bag. A store associate noticed my interest, and the following conversation ensued:

Associate: It's beautiful, isn't it.

Shannah: Yes.

A: It's made out of deerskin. It's going to be a very popular bag this season, a best seller.

S: Oh really, interesting.

A: I don't have any in storage right now, but...

S: Oh, that's ok, I'm not going to buy it.

A: ...but I could easily transfer one in from a nearby store.

S: Thanks for offering, but I don't think I can buy it right now.

A: Well, I'll have it transferred, just in case.

S: That's not necessary. I don't live here.

A: Well, just in case - I'll have it transferred for you. It's a beautiful bag.

The exchange continued, and even though I hade made it abundantly clear that I was never in a million years going to purchase the bag, the associated insisted, even as I was walking out the front door, that she would have it transferred "just in case."

I don't think I'll go back there.

In case you are wondering which bag caused all the fuss, a photo (notice the bee key chain, my fave feature):

Say "Layered Leather" 3 Times Fast

Several months ago I blasted Miu Miu for its Nappa Patch Petals Satchel, deeming it a worthy bag if, and only if, it was paired with a tree costume on Halloween. I never really thought this style of layered leather could work, but Valentino has proved me wrong.





The Valentino Nappa Allure Bag from Saks is beautiful. The layered leather gives the bag an interesting, unique texture that keeps basic black from looking boring. Pick this baby up for $2,495, and carry it everywhere you go.

A Horse Shoe of a Different Color

The summer of my 8th year, I went to a daycamp that offered horseback riding. That summer I came to love it - I was pretty decent at trotting, cantering, galloping, a.k.a. sitting atop the horse while it pranced along at faster and faster speeds.

Once I mastered the act of going up and down on top of the horse in concert with its movements, my counselors decided it was time for me to take my riding to the next level: jumping!

I was so excited. I sat on the horse, staring at the 1.5 foot high gate, visualizing myself sailing over it with grace, making it look so effortless that even the counselors would be impressed.

I kicked the side of the horse, rode towards the gate, and as the horse began its jump, I went up into the air and...

fell off the horse and onto my ass.

Ouch.

Later that day, the camp counselors, in great ceremony, presented me with two starbursts and a silver horseshoe. They mumbled something about bravery...strength...getting back on the horse...but now I recognize the gifts for what they were: hush money!

I swear this story has a point. As I was browsing through the pages of net-a-porter this morning, I was reminded of my fall and subsequent "please don't sue us" horseshoe and starburst combo.

Can you guess why?

The Trigger Shoulder Bag by Alexander McQueen - $2,345 at net-a-porter.

The Beauty of Outlet Stores

In my very first Bags for Bitches post, I talked about Linea Pelle's Dylan Patchwork tote. It really is a lovely bag, but at the time I wasn't willing to pay full price for it. When I finally got around to thinking about it again, it was no longer in stores. For a time, I thought the Dylan Patchwork would never be mine, but a quick trip to an outlet mall changed my fate.

Last Thursday, during a work-related trip to the Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall, I ventured into Neiman Marcus Last Call. Neiman Marcus is a fabulous department store that carries many, many beautiful bags that I unfortunately cannot afford.

Neiman Marcus Last Call is named as such because it carries last season's inventory at reduced prices and is the customer's last opportunity to purchase such products. When I walked into the store, I obviously headed directly over to the accessories department, bypassing perfume, apparel and the rather large furniture section. I dug around for buried treasure. Hideous Marc Jacobs, YSL, and Botkier bags were aplenty (hey, even the best designers sometimes have misses).

Then, on a rack on the edge of the department, I saw it: a brand new black leather Linea Pelle Dylan Patchwork tote, complete with brown and white zebra print silk lining. The bag was already marked down 35%; I haggled with the store manager and he knocked off an additional 20% (the bag was hanging on the wrong T-stand which proclaimed that all bags were 20% off, so he gave me the benefit of the doubt). Suddenly, the beautiful leather bag I had longed for was within reach. I knew if I let the opportunity pass by I would regret it; after carrying it for three out of the last four days, I know I made the right decision.

Say hello to Dylan:

Bags that Won't Break the Bank

So, yeah, the bags on this site are very, very pricey. Sure, only a small portion of the human race can afford them. But by no means am I telling you to run out and spend $1,500 on a Louis Vuitton bag. Isn't it just fun knowing that they're out there, and that one day down the road, hopefully not too far away, you may be able to write a check for a couple grand and not care?

But I get that looking at expensive designer bags can be frustrating, because in the event that you see something that you love, the chances of actually being able to make it your own are minimal.

So I've decided to start posting slightly less expensive bags that may be a bit more in your price range. Don't get too excited - I'll never post the $29 bag available from H&M - but hopefully you'll be able to find some good options that won't leave you eating ramen for weeks on end.This is the black patent leather clutch from Banana Republic. It's very structured and has some interesting detail (how great is that buckle!?) that brings it to a whole new level. And the best part: there's a detachable shoulder strap, making this bag a great option for day and night. Bring it to work, and then tear off the strap and take the Robson out for a cocktail. $160 at Banana; also available in grey.

I'm not usually a fan of bags made out of a printed fabric, but I think I'll have to bend the rules a bit for this beauty. Soiree is a laminated canvas bag with an absolutely gorgeous print that is neutral enough to go with anything but exciting enough to increase your outfit's fun level by a factor of 10. It's laminated, which means that your bag will remain in great shape, come rain or hail or gale force winds. A great daytime bag - pair it with a casual LBD and flip flops for a polished look. $78 at J.Crew.

This bag definitely screams business. But you know what they say - All play and no work makes Jackie a poor gal. Buy this structured leather tote from Ann Taylor and you're sure to make an impact on your co-workers. Lined with numerous pockets to keep your life organized. $168, in black only.

A Diamond in the Rough

I was kind of hard on Miu Miu when I saw their initial batch of Fall bags. And I still 100% stand behind my assessment.

But recently some new Miu Miu bags have appeared in stores and online, and the good news is: they're not completely hideous!

Por ejemplo, take the Diamond Quilted Bag. In a way, it's pretty simple. Basic black, relatively standard shape for Miu Miu, and a traditional short handle / long strap combo.

But the beauty of the bag lies in the somewhat subtle and yet intoxicating details. First, the handle is not simply a basic leather strap, but instead is composed of a gorgeous braid. As if that weren't enough, the body of the bag is composed of a beautiful and intricate diamond pattern.

I don't think the diamond pattern would work if the bag was more than one color, but because it's all black, it's a diamond in the rough :).

Great for work or daytime - pair it with a bright colored dress and a jacket, as in the net-a-porter mock up above.

$1,595 at net-a-porter

My New Toy, and a Pleated Hobo

I haven't posted in a while.

You see, I got this thing called an iPhone on Saturday. I waited in line for ~2 hours at the Apple store I was sure Murphy's law was going to be enforced - reading about the iPhone had led me to believe that anything that could possibly go wrong, would.

But guess what? It was easy as PIE! So, that's my excuse. I've been playing with my little technological baby since Saturday afternoon, and therefore obviously haven't had any time to blog.

In case you are wondering, iHEART it.

And now onto other things that I heart. I went to the Natick Collection (aka Mall) last night to look at some new concept stores (e.g., Gilly Hicks, Madewell, Blue Mercury and the like). It was fun times.

The mall has a luxury wing, so I went to check out what new temptations my European idols were offering up. Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, oh my!

The bag that stuck out was the Medium Woven Hobo from BV. This was introduced a few weeks ago, but I couldn't tell from the picture if it would be a winner or not. Turns out, it is. The beautiful woven leather hobo, but with a twist. The pleats add a feminine detail without de-classy-ing the bag.
Available in red and black from Niemans for $1,895.

From London With Love

I think I mentioned in a previous post that I recently lived in London for six months. My experience was a whirlwind of double decker buses, train rides, customs officials, cheap B&Bs, late nights, and much, much more. I took bus 148 every morning from Walworth, the "cosmopolitan" London semi-suburb that I called home, to my company's office located a stone's throw from Victoria Station.

My 40 minute plus bus ride typically consisted of scouting the upper deck for the most strategically placed seat, but every once in a while I was distracted by an object of such immense beauty that I completely forgot about playing musical chairs. Obviously, I'm talking about a bag.

It was a Jimmy Choo Malena Patent Leather Satchel in the most beautiful shade of ruby red. The woman who carried it always wore the same neon green faux-fur coat, and the contrast between the coat and the bag was simply to die for. I'd gaze at the bag, wishing it could be mine, hoping against hope that one day I would be the proud owner of the breathtaking patent leather ruby red patent satchel.

And so when I got back to the US, I made it my life's mission to find it.

Alas,

the color was nowhere to be found.

I should have stolen it when I had the chance.

But today's trip to bergdorfgoodman.com yielded something almost as good. It was another Jimmy Choo Malena Patent Satchel, but this time, in black. No, it doesn't possess the same whimsical quality of Ms. Fake Fur Coat's ruby version, but it's a hell of a lot more practical.

And in this case, practicality = good.

$1,895 at Bergdorf.