Your idea place for finding the perfect bag to go - anywhere, and with anything
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Fossil Search Continues
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
My handbag wish list... a Fossil Odyssey
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Coach Bag
My old Coach bag, at the age of 15 years, is still great.
This isn't it, but I like the look of this one, and can imagine it dressed-up, or dressed down. Heels or sneakers, opera or hot dogs in the park--I still really like my Coach.
Guess Çanta
A coworker has a great new black and shiny Guess purse, complete with silver bling, etc. This isn't the one, but I'm liking this one, too. Looks like a good size, too.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Bambas Leather Satchel, 2008
Just when I thought I was going to bed, here comes another great bag. I couldn't resist just this one more...
Photographer's note:
Bambas Leather Satchel, 2008
I always try to find something for my friend Louise when we travel, but shopping in Prague isn't easy if you aren't the art glass, garnet jewelry or tourist trinket type.
While most of the main shopping areas are experiencing an influx of major global designer brands (though Gucci is Gucci, no matter where you go), I did stumble across a fur and leather shop called Kožešiny Kubín that carries goods produced in the Czech Republic.
I literally stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the handbags they had displayed in one of their shop windows. My first thought was, "Hey, these are like those super-hyped, waiting-list-only Prada Faerie Bags that came out this spring!" My second thought was, "I have to get one of these for Louise!"
The shop was all warm, rich woods and glass, with a hushed atmosphere akin to a library. The sales woman there that day didn't speak much English, but it's easy enough to get your point across when you point out a handbag and hold up your credit card.
The handbag company is Bambas, and all their bags are designed and manufactured in the Czech Republic -- hand painted and hand sewn (or so says the tag). The sales woman assured me, in her limited English, that each bag is a one of a kind -- there may be similar items, but the hand painting process allows for individual variances on the theme.
It was difficult to choose which one to get, as there were any number of styles, sizes and themes, but I think the bag we settled on was definitely the most striking.
I sent it off to Louise immediately after returning home from our trip, and I received a hilariously enthusiastic barrage of text messages once the package hit her doorstep. Apparently, presenting the gift of a one of a kind bag from Prague is a sure fire way to cement a friendship for life.
The fact that none of her friends can simply run off to Nordstrom's and buy the same thing was just icing on her Fashion Plate cake.
Uploaded by Nathan Branch on 24 Apr 08, 2.16PM PST.
Black Leather Hype Handbag
Here's another view of the Hype handbag, looking a little more black, but still with that rosy metallic glow. I love the subtle blend of color.
Another Hype Handbag
Black Leather Hype Handbag
What I like about this back, other than the style and shape, is the coloring, that sort of rosy metallic look. Nice buckle details, flat bottom.
Belleccio Carolina Brown Capybara Leather Handbag
What gorgeous colors--very rich warm brown leather.
Photo note:
100% Argentine Capybara Leather Handbag
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Storage handbag
This is gorgeous--I love the turquoise color, and the nice felt work.
Photographer's note:
Storage handbag
A hard sided handbag made with felt. Totally handsewn, not a machine in site! Didn't think it would stand up to my usual wear and tear on my handbags, but thought it could be good to store embellishments or embroidery threads.
This one is the prototype, just a few adjustments to make and I am on my way to make more! Oh yeah, I have to give credit for the design to a stationery set of my daughters, it gave me the idea to recreate it in felt.
Lovely smile - Surry Hills
Not only is the bag great, but the whole picture is wonderful. Love the toffee colored belt and shoes to match.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
baby phat purse cake
OMG--this is amazing. I'd really like to see how this is done! Gorgeous!
Photo note:
baby phat purse cake
purse cake fondant, modelling chocolate chain, airbrushed
From Handbag
When handbags and poetry come together. This comes from Handbag.com, and while this is a post from last year, I found it to be an interesting read. Hope you enjoy!
_________________________________________
Handbags Move Women to Poetry
Top women’s website handbag.com has been inundated with poems in praise of handbags.
Award-winning poet Kate Bingham started the ball rolling with her poem, "Handbags"
(www.handbag.com/handbagmonth/poemcompetition/entry/) and since then women have needed no further encouragement. Kate Bingham, who was nominated for the prestigious Forward Prize in 2006, will be judging the best entry at the end of May.
She says: "The poems we've had in so far have been great. The handbag is obviously heavy with meaning. One woman called her bag ‘my comfort blanket', to another it was ‘my soulmate' and yet another wrote, ‘Without you on my shoulder, / I could not carry the burden on my own.' Whether it's chic or shabby, the humble handbag seems to say a lot about being a woman"
Natasha Aitken, editor of handbag.com, says: "National Handbag Month is all about celebrating the wonderful (and sometimes weird...) relationship women have with their bags. At handbag.com we take inspiration from that relationship, trying to cram as many goodies into the site as we do into our handbags. But even we were surprised by quite how much passion there is out there...!"
The competition forms part of handbag.com's "National Handbag Month" activity in May. Today the results of a nationwide survey were released, which provides further proof of the depth of feeling women have for their bags
When asked what they would save in a fire, a whopping majority of 63% would grab their bags in preference to a photo album (32%), a scarf knitted by grandma (2%) - and even a box of old love letters (3%). The only places where sentiment wins over style are the Channel Islands, Borders and North Scotland - in each case a majority (67%) would rescue the photos.
Love of the handbag even overtakes the maternal instinct - an incredible 85% would prefer it if their child's schoolbag was stolen, rather than their own handbag. Again the exception is found in Borders and North Scotland, where votes were equally divided.
Ethics also go out the window when it comes to the perfect bag. When asked if they would consider buying a fake, only 25% said no because they would worry it had been made in a sweatshop. As many as 53% of women say: "Snap it up as fast as possible!"
Women know how much bags mean to other women. We asked which of the following would be the naughtiest: reading a postcard addressed to your boyfriend, going through your sister's wardrobe when she's out,rooting around in a friend's handbag without asking, or reading an email over a colleague's shoulder. Guess what? 61% said the worst sin was rifling through a friend's bag. Reading a colleague's email came second - with just 22%.
One reason you might not want to go through a friend's bag is the horrible things you risk finding in there. When we asked for the yuckiest thing women have ever kept in their bags a stunning 16% of 16-17 year olds across the country and 18% of women in the Northeast admit to havingyesterday's knickers lurking in their bags. Other confessions include: a fish canapé, a piece of stilton cheese, a child's nappy, a stick of chicken satay and doggie treats...
Although women are spending more than ever on bags, it's only in the South West (57%) and West (60%) where the majority think looking good is a matter of money. For the rest of the country, 59% believe that you can't buy style.
When it comes to keeping these prized possessions safe, HTV West and the South/South East are the best bet. Only 8% in South/South East have ever had a bag stolen, and in HTV that falls even lower - none of our sample had ever had a bag taken. In Yorkshire by contrast, 33% said yes, by far the highest in the country. Wherever they are though, women don't feel enough effort is made to keep bags safe. 88% said more security measures such as cloakrooms, handbag clips and CCTV were urgently needed. And if they are mugged, nearly half will fight off their attacker, while 65% of women who have had a bag taken agree that "It felt like someone had stolen a part of me".
For further information please contact:
Louise Bury
louise.bury@hearstdigital.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
About National Handbag Month
Handbag.com is crammed full of everything you could ever want, taking it's inspiration from the role a real handbag plays in a woman's life. In celebration of the joy of bags, handbag.com have declared May to be National Handbag month. The month includes a host of discounts and offers on the site, including the chance to win a designer handbag every day in May. There is also a poem, "Handbags", written by award-winning poet Kate Bingham, and the chance for users to enter their own poems into a competition to be published in handbag.com's Little Pink Book diary. To join in go to: http://www.handbag.com/handbagmonth/poemcompetition/entry/
About Handbag.com
Handbag.com was the first dedicated women's lifestyle website to launch in the UK, and is now the market leader.
Handbag is a stylish, glamorous, trusted and informative editorial environment that provides the inside track for busy women online, on everyday important issues like relationships, health, careers and beauty. With the luxury look of a glossy and the lightening reactions of a daily, Handbag.com offers a breadth of coverage from expert writers that has established its reputation as the leader in a crowded field.
Launched in 1999, it now includes the subsidiary sites getlippy.com, aimed at 18- to 30-year-old women, allaboutyou.com for women aged over 35 and gomamatoday.com, a pregnancy and birth site.
The Handbag network was acquired by the National Magazine Co. in October 2006.
About The National Magazine Company
The National Magazine Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Corporation established by William Randolph Hearst in 1910. NatMag publishes 15 consumer titles in the UK: Coast, Company, CosmoGIRL!,Cosmopolitan, Cosmopolitan Bride, Country Living, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Harper's Bazaar, House Beautiful, Prima, Prima Baby,SHE, You & Your Wedding, and Zest. The group publishes a further two magazines, Men's Health and Runner's World, through a joint venture known as NatMag Rodale and three large scale weeklies, Best , Revealand Real People through a joint venture known as ACP-NatMag.
About The Hearst Digital Network
The Hearst Digital Network, a division of NatMag, publishes the websites for NatMag magazines, including the Handbag network.
Tod's Handbag
Red, red, red.
Go red for Good~
Photo note:
Tod's Handbag
This gorgeous wine red leather handbag is small and sexy. Whether you're going to the store or a night out on the town this bag is extremely versatile. It has a magnetic closure and handle drop of 3 1/2". Its interior is black with the red leather trim.
All proceeds help us continue the fight against HIV/AIDS and homelessness
Flappers Fancy Handbag
This is gorgeous, and just right for the holiday season.
Photographer's note:
Flappers Fancy Handbag
Made for a client attending the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
MULTI TONE FANCY HANDBAG
Wow--love the lines, the colors.
Another bag from Mark 1
Photo notes:
MULTI TONE FANCY HANDBAG
Snake Skin Look Like Fashion Bag
*
Made of fine textured, leatherlike material
*
The main bag includes a fully lined interior with additional cosmetic bag
*
Top zippered opening
*
Fully lined interior
*
Inside zippered pocket
Dimension: 12"W x 5"H x 3"D
Positano Tote
Silka Burgoyne
Finished Size 17" wide at bottom, 12" high, and 4" deep.
Yarn Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Superwash (100% wool; 200 yd [183 m]/100 g): #SW190 cactus, 5 skeins.
Needles Size 9 (5.5 mm). Size 7 (4.5 mm): set of 2 double-pointed (dpn). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions Stitch holder; tapestry needle; pair of 13" long rattan handles (shown: Fashion Rattan Purse Handle HR-DM12 from UMX; www.umx.info); 4" diameter belt buckle; three 18" × 12" pieces of needlepoint plastic canvas; ½ yd of heavy lining fabric or lighter lining fabric and interfacing; sewing needle and thread; sewing pins; safety pins.
Gauge 16 sts and 32 rows = 4" in charted patt on larger needles with yarn doubled, after blocking.
For more from Interweave Knits, visit:
a few of my favorite things -- coin purses
I like this variety of these coin purses. Something for every occasion~
Photographer's note and link:
"A few of my favorite things -- coin purses
jmaichang.blogspot.com/2008/07/few-of-my-favorite-things-...
My cousin, Linda, wanted to know what kind of cute coin purses are out there; something to fill up her new Tod's handbag. So, here they are, what I would buy and would suggest to her:
Clockwise from top-left:
- Prada Saffiano Calf Leather Coin Purse
- Takashi Murakami's Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolore Flat Coin Purse
- Christian Dior "Le Plisse" Framed Coin Purse
- Marc by Marc Jacobs Quilted Key Pouch
Favorite felted purse
For all you knitters and spinners (and dyers) out there, this is a sweet little bag.
Photo note:
"My favorite felted purse
I dyed some of the hand spun yarn, all yarn was spun by me (the photographer)."
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Gucci Designer Handbags and Accessories
Photo note:
Gucci Designer Handbags and Accessories
Gucci Designer Handbags and Accessories - Gucci designs originated in Florence, Italy in 1921 by an Italian man named Guccio Gucci. When he opened his small, family owned leather and saddle goods store, he had no idea that the Gucci handbag would grow to become one of the most sought after handbags in the world.
Here's a link to look at:
http://www.handbags.classy-gals.com/
Red Chanel Bag
Shiny, festive, red - great detail of the Chanel bag. Great for Christmas!
Hey Chanel 2.55
[Photographed by Abegail Cal]
I love my Chanel 2.55.
It was a gift for Christmas ♥
Kiera Handbag - Red
Did I mention I'm a sucker for red? Check out this snazzy clutch bag, great for a fancy night out. I'm thinking dinner, opera, a touch of Port...
Photo note:
Kiera Handbag - Red
An over sized, crocodile print clutch bag. Perfect for day or night. Black cotton lining and one inside pocket with zip.
Get a better look at
www.Tabitha.uk.com
Keywords: Tabitha, bags, Orca, Fashion, Designer Handbag, Book, Bag, Wallet, Accessory, Social, Butterfly, Clutch, leather
FASHION HANDBAG
This is another great look.
Photo note:
FASHION HANDBAG
- Sophisticated tote style handbag made of real leather looking material
- Platform bottom
- Dual plastic bracelet handles
- Zip top closure
- Center zipper compartment
- Large inner wall pocket
- Detachable shoulder strap included
Available Size
12 3/4(L) x 8 1/2(H) x 2 1/2(D)
From Mark 1 Boutique, Inc.
bamboo, rattan fashion handbag
I like this style of bag. Messenger bag with carry handle and shoulder strap. Woven construction. Great look!
bamboo, rattan fashion handbag
Here's another, similar bag, this time all in black.
Key words:
bamboo, rattan fashion handbag
bamboo, rattan fashion handbag
Another nice shape and design, this time made of bamboo, the latest versatile fiber. Strong, supple, texturally pleasing, bamboo is making its mark.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Handbag
This is a beauty~
Photo note:
Handbag
This is the cool handbag mum bought me for Christmas. It looks black but is actually purple with beautiful embroidery.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Grocery Bag Clutch w/ Flower
This is too cool. Knit your own bag!
Photo note:
Save the earth and look fashionable doing it!! This clutch is knit completely out of plastic grocery bags meaning it's still 100% recyclable at the end of its lifetime.
Pattern for a Grocery Bag
This reusable fabric grocery bag pattern is a simple one you can make and sew yourself.
View more »
Shoulder Bag For collecting groceries
A great idea. We are reducing the amount of plastic and paper bags around our house. Making your own makes for a nice, bright change.
Photo note:
Shoulder Bag For collecting groceries
This great bag is made from recycled fabric that was purchased at a going out of business sale 10 years ago.
It has finally found its calling, a grocery bag.
Orange lucite handbag by Maxim
Okay, this is just too cool to pass up. And the color is rich!
Photo note:
Orange lucite handbag by Maxim
Red Handbag Cake
This is simply fabulous~ Note what the photographer had to say--I love it!
Red Handbag Cake
I made this quilted red leather handbag for my sister-in-law's birthday. My Father-in-law actually mistook it for a real handbag and grabbed the handle to lift it. LOL!! The strap had to be re-attached but I took it as a great compliment. Happy Birthday, Carol! 1-27-08
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Fossil Sutter Crossbody close-up
These are great durable bags. And this one is nice in teal with silver zippers, pockets for phone and iPod.
Red Seatbelt Bag
And here's the red one, in a smaller size. Perfect for a jazzy night out.
Red seatbelt bag, woven seatbelt bag
the woven messenger bag
These bags are great, too. Durable, made from real seat belt material.
Here's a blurb from the Harvey site, just for jazz:
"Each Seatbelt Bag is lined with genuine flight satin, used by the US Airforce to make flight jackets and sewn with NASA certified thread (yes, that NASA). Bags feature either a magnetic snap closure or a YKK zipper and many bags feature chrome feet imported from Italy. Made of the same seat belt you use to protect your life."
I'm eyeing a red one... but I'll take black and charcoal any day!
SEQUIN EVENING BAG
Another gorgeous clutch. Dazzlingly bejeweled with gold sequins, stars, hearts and butterflies.
Note:
SEQUIN EVENING BAG
Stylish Gold Sequins with Multi Buttons Scallop Shell Shaped Fashion Bag
~Measures 11" x 7" (Includes DETACHABLE Colorful Beaded Handle which measures 8" from top of handle to top of silver snap)
~Long Silver Chain Shoulder Strap Included
~Top Twist Snap Closure
~Detailing on Both Sides
~Perfect as CLUTCH BAG
SATIN SEQUIN EVENING BAG
Silver and glitter - just in time for the holidays.
Photographer's note:
Bohemian Chic Grey Satin Embellished with Metallic Sequins & Crystal Beads Fashion Bag
~Measures 11" x 4" (Includes Colorful Beaded Handle which measures 7 1/2" from top of handle to top of silver snap)
~Long Silver Chain Shoulder Strap Included
~Top Twist Snap Closure
~Sequins Detailing on Both Sides