Pink is the New...Everything

According to the most recent Pulse feature in the New York Times, pink, the "shopper's comfort color" is everywhere this spring. I'm not normally a huge fan of pink, but I do appreciate the color in small quantities (my hot pink skecher sneakers are a much-too-worn-in favorite.)

Below, a few of Spring's most eye-popping options:


For work or school:

Gryson Hanah Kaos Satchel in magenta

$695 at Saks

For everyday:

Kooba Leather Ryder Tote in pink

$595 at Saks

For the teens:

MARC by Marc Jacbos Puckered Birdia Bag in Fuchsia

$498 at eLuxury

For the paradoxically wealthy white trash crowd (I'm looking at you, Britney):

Dolce & Gabanna Candy Wrapper Tote in Pink

$1,195 at eLuxury

Bowling on the River

I know I've posted a lot of white bags, which is funny since I don't own a single one, but it's almost summer so I'm allowed. I thought it was interesting that neither Emilie nor I have written about a Louis Vuitton bag since we both own pieces (me: a 1970s Speedy 30 which used to belong to my grandmother; Emilie: a gorgeous monogram wallet from the Paris store).

Well, I'm about to break the Louis Vuitton seal. (I wonder if that now means I won't be able to stop posting LV bags? They'll just keep coming and coming and coming until I sleep it off!) Surprisingly, the object of my desire not a monogram canvas, the style for which LV is most (in)famous. A lot of people won't even buy monogram LVs anymore because they are the most knocked-off brand on the planet, and they don't want their thousand-dollar babies confused with a $20 replica from Canal street.

Louis Vuitton makes a number of gorgeous, classic bags that do not display their legendary logo. LV leather goods are very high quality, super-classy, and will last you forever.
This white Epi Leather Bowling Montaigne GM is simply gorgeous. First of all, I love the shape, but it is no secret by now that the bowling bag is among my favorite silhouettes. The epi leather is also great - it's strong and sturdy without being cardboard-like. I have a feeling you could carry around a bowling ball in this bag if you really needed to. And maybe a pair of LV shoes to boot.

Available at eluxury in ivory and cassis (dark purple) for $1,900.

Love the Building, Love the Bag

This afternoon I went to Starbucks for a free coffee (thanks for the coupon, CC!), and I spotted a gorgeous bag across the store.Being the nosy, unafraid- to- talk- to- strangers gal that I am, I quickly found out that her bag was from Banana Republic, there are no bags left in any of the stores in Boston, and there are plenty available online.

During my next work break I clicked right over to the banana website and found the Flatiron embossed triangle satchel. If you're looking for a green bag but aren't willing to shell out $725 for the L.A.M.B., this $248 version may be a great alternative.

I've seen this bag up close and can assure you that it is even cuter in person. I absolutely love the navy trim and gold hardware. Even the profile is hot. Also available in yellow.

L.A.M.B. Glazed Love Asti Bag

I'm normally not a fan of celebs who launch their own clothing and accessories lines; the results are usually disappointing and a pure abuse of celebrity power (has anyone seen Heidi's hideous attempt at a clothing line??). But I've been following Gwen Stafani's L.A.M.B. brand for a while now and I generally like what I see.

The Glazed Love Asti bag may have a ridiculous name, but fortunately that doesn't take away from how gosh darn beautiful the color is. You might think that green is hard to wear, but let me assure you that this prize will go perfectly with all the neutrals in your closet and will look divine set against the background of a beige trench.

Available at eLuxury for $725 in green and white.

I'm just mad about Saffron

Things I associate with the color yellow: jaundice, cowardice, snow you should never eat. Something not on that list: hot handbags.

I once wore a yellow shirt and it made me look sickly.

Yellow and I did not have auspicious beginnings.

Then I saw the Cole Haan Aerin Patent Satchel, and I think things between me and yellow are starting to look up.

This handbag just screams spring, and sunshine, and running through a field of daffodils (the first time I did this I got stung by a bee. A yellowjacket. Coincidence? I think not.) Although it's made of patent leather, it doesn't look fake and plasticky*. As an extra bonus, you can add this satchel to your collection for less than 400 smackers.

Also available in boring black. $350 at Saks.

*Plasticky is a real word. I looked it up.

Take-a-Nappa Umbria Tote

Yes, I may have the flu. I may be popping cough drops like they're skittles. I may be taking shots of DayQuil and swallowing Vitamin C tablets by the bottle. But I still have time to cruise the internet for hot handbags. I have my priorities in order.

Spring is on the horizon (although in Boston it seems like it may never come!), so it's time to go out and buy yourself a beautiful new white bag. I personally don't own a white handbag because I'm worried I would pour tomato soup or olive oil or diet snapple all over it. But if you're less of a klutz than I am and trust yourself not to ruin your prized possessions with colorful liquids, then this bag may be right for you.

Meet the Bottega Veneta Nappa Umbria Tote. I've been a fan of Bottega for a while now; I love the classic and simple styles and quality of construction. You'll never find a Bottega Veneta bag with BV logos imprinted all over it; the buttery soft woven leather speaks volumes all by itself.

Don't you love the shape? The size? The handles? Brass hardware, lined in suede, made in Italy. What more could a girl ask for?

This beautiful bag can be yours for a mere $2,780 at Saks.

Spotlight on Yves Saint Laurent

I may not be able to pronounce the name correctly, but I love me some Yves Saint Laurent. Their bags are for truly classy (and wealthy!) ladies who are trying to make the point that they are in with the in crowd but still embody the upmost of grace and style.The Majorelle was named by many to be the "it" bag of the season, and I must say that I agree. It's simple, elegant, and has a beautiful silhouette, but doesn't have the temporary quality of many of the "it" bags of recent years.Another extremely popular YSL is the Muse, a perfect bag in which to carry your laptop and files between home and work. If you've been paying attention, you'll notice that the gorgeous white bag in the heading of our blog (scroll up) is a YSL Muse. The Muse is available in a variety of colors, fabrics, and sizes, so you'll definitely be able to find one that's right for you.
The final bag I would like to highlight is the Capri. This hobo is casual chic, just begging to be paired with jeans and a light cashmere sweater on a weekend stroll in the park. This white version is perfect for spring.

YSL is available at Saks, Neimans, and Bergdorf . Prices for the above three bags range from $1,395 - $1,895 depending on size and material.

P.S. If the above sounds like incoherent rambling, apologies - I'm hopped up on DayQuil.

The Monkey Chased the Weasel....

Allow me to introduce the two of you: Mulberry, meet the readers. Readers, meet Mulberry. Mulberry is a British handbag and accessories brand that is insanely popular in the UK and around Europe. Their bags are simple, classic, and often resemble bags from ultra-luxury brands at somewhat more affordable prices. I've posted three of my favourite bags to give you a flavor for what the brand is all about.

First (left) is the Large Agyness, a soft goat leather bag with gold hardware and large handles. While I don't entirely love the color (I'm not really a pastel kinda gal), the shape is to die for. Great for work and play.

The Bayswater bag (center) is what originally put Mulberry on the map. It's a simple, classic bag that is perfect for work. Reminiscent of the Birkin bag at 1/10 of the price! The Bayswater is available in a variety of colors and textures, and you can even design your own!

Finally, meet Mabel (right). In addition to this lovely red, it is also available in six other colors.

Available for £795, £495, and £795, respectively. (Hint: avoid the temptation to convert to dollars)

Runway Dior Jazzclub Flap Bag

Let me just say that I’m usually the first one to decry the use of animal prints - they’re one of the hardest things to wear in a classy way. But the “Dior Jazzclub” bag in zebra print is perfect – subtle in size, dramatic in design – to make a basic outfit POP. Of course, if you still prefer to go sans-animal print (and retain more flexibility to mix-and-match), Dior also offers it in beautiful black and heavenly white colors.

The Jazzclub is from Dior’s spring 2008 collection. Grab this baby up for $3,300 at Dior stores or at eLuxury. Granted, it might be worth waiting a season for the price to drop - but temptation is the new black (or in this case, zebra).