I Hope This Is Not a Mirage

Carlos Falchi is primarily known for his gorgeous exotic handbags (ignore the last post...), which can run into the high four figures. I thought that owning one of his bags would be out of reach - at least for the foreseeable future (NYC is EXPENSIVE, ya'll!) - but it looks as if my luck has changed!

Perhaps a reaction to the current economic situation, Falchi is now offering the Medium Shopper Tote for a comparatively very, very low $220. Of course the bag is not made of real exotic leather, but the embossing wins a lot of points for looking more realistic than most attempts. A true tote bag, it comes complete with 10-inch straps, a removable pouch, and several inside pockets. The top stays together with a snap closure.

What's also great about this bag: options! It comes in a whopping four colors, including silver, gold, black, and brown. Hop on the metallic bandwagon by adding one of these beauties to your wardrobe. $220 at Saks.

I'm baaaa-aaaack

Lately I've been feeling like there was something missing in my life. And then I realized: I have't posted in three days! Apologies, my fellow readers, but little things like a possible case of food poisoning, a client presentation, and some other fun surprises have gotten in the way. Oh, joy.

Now that the food poisoning and presentation have subsided, it's back to the daily grind of posting bags for your viewing pleasure. First up: this lovely Anya Hindmarch Cooper Mirror Bottom Hobo. Yes, that's right, the bottom serves two purposes: 1. It protects your lovely bag from every day wear and tear, and 2. you can use it to reapply your lipstick or check out your hair.

I also love the color - it will go with almost everything in your wardrobe.

This bag in a word: "elegant"

Also features:

Golden hardware

Metallic window detail on strap, 9½" drop

Magnetic closure

Outside front pocket

One inside zip and one open pocket

Inside pen holder and key ring popper

Suede lining

$1,195 at Saks.

Bronze Leather Hobo

Another beautiful bag from Mulberry! This bronze hobo is a great way to integrate metallics into your wardrobe. It's rather large, so you can carry around all your prized possessions with you. It would look great with a pair of dark jeans and a white or black top; add some gold accessories (perhaps some hoop earrings or a long link necklace) to tie in the bag's gold emblem.

Buy your Soho Leather Hobo Bag at net-a-porter for $1,150. If you want to send it to me as a gift, email me at bagsforb.tches@gmail.com for my address.

JALDA Python Original Clutch

An affordable python clutch!

Remember kids, when it comes to this site, the word "affordable" is a relative term - anything less than 500 smackers looks downright cheap compared to many of the bags being sold today.

This beautiful silver python clutch, by JALDA, is perfect for a fancy evening out, and is sure to make your little black dress pop. The bag is lined with a beautiful blue fabric, and an invisible magnetic closure keeps all your cash and lipsticks safe.

Only $490 from Saks.

I Must Have an Iron Deficiency

Yet another metallic bag from yours truly. Perhaps I should start eating more red meat?

This is another interpretation of Bottega Veneta's famous knot clutch. It features gold and silver tone lizard skin, a snap closure, and a gold interior. The knot on the top adds a tasteful level of bling to the bag.

At $4,500, it could cover many months rent; but then again, my apartment just isn't as pretty as this lovely lizard luxury.

Pick yours up today at Neimans.

A Stripe of the Same Color

I don't know what's been going on with me lately but I sure have been on a metallics kick. Maybe someone is trying to tell me that I should buy a metallic bag?

Saks finally posted some new fall bags from a couple designers, including Prada. Last year they came out with those horrid purple/blue/yellow/gold/orange striped hobo bags. Nice idea in theory, but the bags were totally FUG. Sorry, Prada. This season, it appears they've stuck to the concept with one major change: all the strips are the same color. And what a difference a season makes! The stripes, instead of looking like you've had a bad acid trip, add a really cool texture and interesting detail to the Nappa Mordore Hobo.
Available in anthracite (aka black...I don't know why designers insist on being so bizarre with their color names) and copper, my favorite of the two versions, for $1,695 from Saks.

And I Need to be Redeemed

I immediately felt a little guilty after my handbag rant and started to scour the internet once again to find a bag that I love. It's sort of like when a guy cheats on his girlfriend and buys her a bouquet of flowers because he feels bad about what he's done. I think Fiona Apple says it best:

What I need is a good defense
'Cause I'm feelin' like a criminal
And I need to be redeemed
To the one I've sinned against

I plan to redeem myself by posting a few lovely new bags that prove that the handbag industry hasn't completely gone to sh*t. First up we have the LV Metallic Mahina XS. I think this bag hits the nail on the head when it comes to strap length: bag size ratio. The bag is large enough to fit your day to day necessities AND the strap will comfortably fit over you shoulder. Since this is an LV bag I'm sure the leather is absolutely divine. And while I don't always love the monogram, it's subtle enough to work. The only weird thing about this bag is the name, Mahina. The website states that the name is "inspired by the crescents and phases of the moon; in Polynesian culture, Mahina is a lunar deity." Ok, fine. Cool idea.

But when I look at the name, I can't help but see "Mangina". There's something seriously wrong with me.

$3,050 from eluxury in bronze and silver.

Target Finds the Next Isaac Mizrahi?

New York Magazine is reporting that Anya Hindmarch will come out with an exclusive and limited-edition line of handbags at Target.

See Below for an excerpt of the article:

Target's Next Diffusion Lines: Bags by Anya Hindmarch and Shoes by Sigerson Morrison

Target just doesn't quit! They've just announced two new limited-edition diffusion lines by Anya Hindmarch and Kari Sigerson and Miranda Morrison of Sigerson Morrison. Anya Hindmarch will do handbags:

This collection is the sixth handbag launch in a series of limited-time-only accessories designers at Target. The Anya Hindmarch for Target collection will be available at select Target stores nationwide and at Target.com October 12 through December 26, 2008.

For those of you that aren't aware, Anya Hindmarch is a British designer famous for her "I'm not a Plastic Bag" Bag and signature bow logo. Would you buy an A H bag at Target?

[Click on the images for more information]

From Trashy to Classy

I'll be honest: I usually associate Versace bags with white trash. First they were carried by the crazy stripper a.k.a. Jessi Spano in Showgirls (she pronounced it "ver-sayce"), and then Brit Brit was photographed all over town with the Quilted Snap Out Of it Bag. It's unfortunate, because I used to like that bag. But leave it to Brit to make classy accessories look like they were purchased from Wal-Mart!

Therefore I was quite surprised when I found a Versace bag that I was immediately drawn to. I thought that I'd sworn off the brand for life; apparently not. My cold, stone heart was softened by Versace's Soft Venus Handbag.


















Now, if you're a regular reader you may realize that this isn't a bag I'd normally go for. It's not really "simple", or "classic", but something about it intrigues me.

First, the color: according to Stacey and Clinton, metallics are neutral, and therefore go with everything. And who can put a price on that?

Second, I'm loving the slouchiness. The Soft Venus looks like it was just fold right into your body, molding to your ever curve.


















I also think the imprinted check pattern is glorious. It's subtle enough to keep the bag classy, but adds a touch of flair to keep it interesting and original.

Other features include: magnetic top closure, cell phone pocket, and an inside zip pocket.

Available at Saks for $3,175.

Snoop Bloggy Blog

Today was kind of a sad day for me. On my way to work I saw someone who from his profile looked exactly like Snoop Dogg, complete with baggie jeans, way-too-long t-shirt, and awesome corn rows. As I got closer, however, and saw him from the front, I realized that no, the man sitting on the stoop talking to a homeless guy and drinking Dunkin Donuts coffee was not, in fact, Snoop Dogg. I mean, what would he be doing in Boston anyway?

Today was also one of my best friend's last day at the company where we (used to) work together.

How exactly does one get over two of life's saddest occasions? How can one bounce back from losing an amazing co-worker on the same day that they confuse a snoop dog look alike for the real thing?

Some may drown their sorrows in booze in pills. I (not at all surprisingly) turn to bags.

To be honest, I was kind of underwhelmed. Fall bags aren't quite out yet, and I'm sick to death of everyone's Spring collections.

However I did come across this beautiful Metallic Python Puffy Bag by Zagliani. Fun Fact: the bag was designed by a dermatologist! According to Saks, "the snakeskin has been injected with silicone for the most buttery-soft, luxurious feel."

Maybe I should inject my skin with silicone. I want to be buttery-soft and luxurious.

Available at Saks for $3,385.

they killed a yip yip

maybe i'm showing my age a bit here, but...
does anyone remember the yip yips from sesame street? if you don't remember, wiki defines them as "interplanetary visitors, presumed to be from the planet Mars. they marvel at devices such as clocks, telephones and computers. when frightened, each covers its face with the lower part of its jaw."

anyway, these things (used to) frighten the bejeesus out of me.


i don't hate this bag, but it does bear a remarkable similarity to the yip yips. behold:

apparently called the erva foldover clutch,
for $495 at barney's.









yip.

Miu Miu Just for Yiou Yiou

whatever golden cow this bag came from - i hope it had kids.

seriously though, can't you just see this beauty nestled under your arm? it looks like the kind of bag whose straps won't keep falling off your shoulder (one of my BIGGEST pet peeves, after george bush). and it also looks like the kind of bag you can put a ton of stuff in without making it look full. i don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but there are some bags that i swear are mary poppins bags - you can put anything, keys, books, kitchen sinks, small animals and children, and it never looks full! maybe i'm rambling here. but it's like those perfect pair of jeans that are the same perfect length if your sitting or standing - they're not so long you step on them when you walk, but don't show your socks when you sit down (i hate that). what i'm saying is, this bag defies the laws of physics. and looks hot while doing so.

my effusiveness is limited only by that distracting shoulder strap, which i think doesn't work at all with a bag of this size, but just take it off and go! although you may want to watch what children you end up putting in it. i hear some parents don't like that.

only $1475 at saks!

Unrequited Love

Ok. I’ve waited long enough. Shannah got to introduce you to a new brand. Now it’s time for me to take my turn, although it’s with a bit of reluctance that I do so. Let me explain:

There comes a time in every woman’s life when she buys her first bag – when her first substantial paycheck comes in and she wants to celebrate having “made it.” When that time came for me, I immediately thought of Fendi. Sophisticated! Luxurious! Bootlegged up the wazoo!

Then I thought - I want to make a statement, but I want to make it discreetly; I want to feel delightfully subtle, my bag appraised and applauded by those in the know, while being sure that no one was toting around a plastic copy bought for $10 in some back alley. So I bought Derek Lam.

Probably known more at this point for his clothes (also superb), he also makes the most fabulous bags, frequently complete with his trademark rams’ heads. He, like other Asian designers, is finally beginning to get the recognition he deserves. Just look at this Gold Python Delila Ram Clutch! It makes exotic instantly classic.

So now you know. My secret love revealed. And Derek, if you read this… I already put my number in your wallet.

Call me.